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No. 369. 



Taggs, the Waif. 



(DRAMA.) 



WITH CAS r OF CHARACTERS, ENTRANCES AND EXITS. 

RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE. 

DESCRIPTION OF COSTUMES AND THE WHOLE OF THE 

STAGE BUSINESS; CAREFULLY MARKED FROM 

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Arthur Eustace,' 25c 10 4 

A Desperate Game 3 2 

After Ten Years 7 5 

A Life's Revenge 7 5 

Aiaah de Baugh 7 5 

Aurora Floyd 7 2 

Auld Robin Gray 25o 13 8 

By Force of Love 8 3 

Beauty of Lyons 11 2 

Bill Detriok 7 3 

Brae, the Poor House Girl.... 4 4 

Brigands of Calabria 6 1 

Broken Links 8 4 

Beyond Pardon 7 5 

Conn; or. Love's Victory 11 3 

Clearing the Mists 5 3 

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Fielding Manor 9 6 

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Grandmother Hildebrand/s 

London \ssnranee '... 9 3 

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Henry Granden 11 S 

How He Did It 3 2 

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Josh Winchester ! r > 3 

Kathleen Mavourneen 12 4 

Lights and Shadows 01 the 

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Lady of Lyons 12 5 

Lady Audley's Secret 6 ■'. 

Little Goldie, 25c 11 3 

Lost in London 6 3 

Miller's Daughter, 25( 7 6 

.Mrs. Willis 1 Will II 5 

My Pard 6 5 

Man ami Wife 12 6 

Maud's Peril 5 7 

Midnight Mistake 6 3 

Millie, the Quadroon 5 2 

Miriam's Crime 5 6 

Michael Erie 8 2 

Miller of Derwent Water 5 3 

Mistletoe Bough 7 2 

Mountebanks (The) 6 3 

New York Book Agent 7 2 



9n. 



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■ 47 Our Country Aunt 4 

223 Old Honesty 5 9 

81 Old Phil's Birthday 5 2 

333 Our Kittie 6 S 

85 Outcast's Wife 12 3 

83 Out on the World 5 4 

331 Old Wayside Inn, The 9 6 

196 Oath Bound 6 2 

29 Painter of Ghent 5 3 

278 Perm Hapgood :0 3 

301 Pelegand Peter. 25c 4 2 

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280 Pheelim O'Rookes' Curse 8 3 

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363 Stub S 3 

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275 Simple Silas 6 3 

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351 The Winning Hand 6 - 

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318 The Adventuress 

284 The Commercial Mrmniner.... 6 2 

242 The Dutch Recruit 25c 14 3 

67 The False Friend 6 1 

97 The Fatal Blow 7 1 

119 The Forty-Niners 10 4 

394 The General. Manager 5 5 

93 The Gentleman in Black 9 4 

314 The Haunted Mill 5 4 

112 The New Magdalen 8 3 

322 The Haw Recruit 6 

71 The Reward of Crime 5 3 

306 The Three Bats 

105 Through Snow and Sunshino H 4 

201 Ticket of Leave Man 9 3 

293 Tom Blossom 9 I 

193 Toodles 7 2 

277 The Musical Captain 15 2 

200 Uncle Tom's Cabin 15 7 

2G0 Wild Mab 6 2 

121 Will-o'-the-Wisp, 9 4 

41 Won at Last 7 3 

192 Zion 7 4 

TEMPERANCE PLAYS. 

73 At Last 7 1 

75 Adrift 5 4 

187 Aunt Dinah's Pledge 6 3 

2.54 Dot; the Miner's Daughter... 9 5 

202 Drunkard [The] 13 5 

185 Drunkard's Warning 

189 Drunkard's Doom 15 5 

181 Fifteen Years of a Drunk- 
ard's Life 13 I 

183 Fruits of the Wine Cup 6 3 

104 Lost 6 2 



.TO 



>Taggs, the Waif ; 4* 

-OR- 

Unele Seth. 



A DRAMA 

IN FIVE ACTS, 

— BY — 

Lbii WarE, 

Author of " My Pard," "Mountain Rose,'' "Claim 3-:;," " Gypsay's 
Warning," "Pop's Kid,"' "Deoils Comp.ict," tl Gfyp, the 
Heiress," etc., etc. 



— o- 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUMES— CAST OF THE CHARACTERS 

—ENTRANCES AND EXITS— RELATIVE POSITIONS OF 

THE PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE 

WHOLE OF THE STAGE BUSINESS. 



Entered accordinp to act of Cottare** in the i/ear 1896 by 

AMES' PUBLISHING CO., 
in the office of the Librarian of Gonjrest at Washington, 



AMES' PUBLISHING CO. 

—-CLYDE, OHIO : 



yh 



0° A \*\ 



,1^ 

CAST OF CHARACTERS., [s X 

Taggs, The Waif. 

Hannah Dold, Mike's wife. 

1 1 f.i.i nk, The out-cast. 

Bijou Darington, An Adventuress. 

Seth Mulberry, Uncle Seth, P. M. 

JEFF Dupree, Gentleman Jef!. 

Mike Doud, A saloon-keeper. 

Alberta Casague, .". A French Detectiv . 

French y, A Thug. 

Hilly Dalton, One of Mike's taughs. 

TIME OF PLAYING— 2 hours. 

SYNOPSIS OF EVENTS. 

ACT I.— Mike Doud'a saloon in New Orleans— Taggs and the Frenchman— A 
game of solitaire —Hannah, laggs and the kitten— Mike Doud's little druige— 
"I'm only Tags', the Waif" — Taggs and ltakly— .Seth Mulberry in Doud s saloon 
—Mulberry and Taggs— "Wouli you like a little gal like me?"— "I'll be your 
1'ncle Seth"— The marriage certificate— Jeff Dupree— "'Oh! Helene, Helene, my 
child'— A plan to secu o Mulberry's money— A lute sto:y— Frenehy attempts to 
stab Mulberry— Frustrated— Hurrah! lor Uncle Seth. 

ACT II.— Bi ou Darrington, the Adventuress, and Jeff Dupres — "I'm dead 
broke" — The compact— Taggs and Bijou — "Razzle, dazzle" — Home of Uncle Seth, 
at Mulberry Flats— Tagg's suoper — "Disscs and bread and bread and l.'tsses" — 
Uncle Seth arid Targs— The les-on— The story o: Adam and Eve— Jeff Dupree. 
Taggs recognizes him — A pricooffered forthe farm— "The Apostle Paul said" — 
Bijou Darr.nston's offer— L'agg's version of "Jac c and Jill" — 'Lasses'and bread" 
— "I don't like you"— Ras! rats'. — .lelf Dupree — "Luck at last" — "Then, I'm 
only Taggs, the Waif" -Taggs tells how she came to bo at Mulberry Farm — "There 
h something crooke !, vou want to cheat my Uncle Seth." — Helene, Jeff Dupree's 
discarded wife and Seth Mulherry's daughter— At the Grand View Hotel — Meet- 
ing of Helene and Dupive.— "l'ou are not my wife" — "Ohl God, deceived! dis- 
grace '. ilishonored!" 

ACT III.— Uncle Seth and Ta.-gs at the Grand View Hotel— Ta.ggs astonished 
at the tine furniture— Helene poses as a statue— Taggs, the clock and be 1 bo\ — 
—The song— Biiou and Dupree — Papers to be s gnei for the sale of the farm — The 
warning v lee— "I'll not sign"— Helene drops disguise— "Father!" 

ACT" IV.— Seth's soliloquy— The wrecked South— Uncle Seth tells Taggs of his 
family — "Unele Seth, I'll ba your little incandescent"— Jeff Dunpee foiled— "The 
government has lought my faim" — lhe quarrel— "Don't date touch him, 'cos he's 
my Uncle Seth." 

ACTV. — Dupree and Bijou— "I am penniless'' — Wo are found out and must 
)<ave to-night" — The French detective on Bijou Darrington's trail, plays the part 
of telegraph operator — Uncle Seth and Taggs at telegraph office, waiting for the 
midnight train — The wreck — "My Godl my child'' — "Saved, father, I did not go 
to New Orleans"— Meeting of husband and wife— Doud dead — "You have no proof" 
— Tne lost marriage certificate turns up— Attempt to stab Uncle Seth — Taggs 
throws herself before him and receives, her death wound — Arrest of Bijou— Helene 
and her father re-united- 

STAGE BISECTIONS. 

r., means Right; L., Left; r. it., Right Hand; l. h., Left Hand; 
C, Center ;s.B., [2d e.,] Second Entrance ;u. e.. Upper Entrance; 
M. d., Middle Door; f., the Flat; D. f., Door in Flat; e. c, Right 
of Center; l. c, Left of Center. 

R. R- c. c. l. c. l. 

* # * The reader is supposed to be upon thesta£e facing the audience. 



Tunoi-fin?^^? 



TAGGS. THE WAIF; 

-OB- 

Uncle Seth. 

ACT I. 

SCENE. — Mike's saloon, near the levee in New Orleans — fall depth 
— bar set c. to l. — card table up R., chairs to table and cards on 
same — bottles, glasses, etc., on bar — a newspaper for Taggs — a 
telephone at end of bar, c. — Taggs discovered behind bar ivith 
her doll in her arms — Frenchy standing c. of bar, front, look- 
ing at Taggs. 

Frenchy. Whar's Mike ? 

Taggs. Up on de levee. 

Frenchy. What's he doin' ? 

Taggs. Nothin' that's honest, I guess. 

Frenchy. Say Taggs, just to kill time, while we'ns are waiten' 
fer Mike, 'spose you sing a song fer a feller. 

Taggs. Nary ! 

Frenchy. W hy ? 

Taggs. 'Cos'! I don't wanter. 

Frdnchy. If Mike was here, I guess you'd sing. 

Taggs. But he ain't here, and I won't sing fer you. 

Frenchy. May be you'ns don't like me ? 

Taggs. Mavbe i 

Frenchy. Well, if you won't sing, I guess I'll just play a °-ame 
of solitaire till Mike comes, (seated at table, Taggs behind bo*— 
voices offL. calling Taggs ! Taggs! Taggs listens; voices of l. 
laughing and calling Taggs,- Taggs starts l., 2 e., pause c, burst 
of laughter, l., Taggs run off l., 2 e., Frenchy looking after her) 
She's an imp, and siie'll ketch it if Mike or Hanner lcnowed she 
went oil' with them kids. She's a sly oie — burst up de whole 
gang some of dese days, give we'ns away ter the cops and then 
good bye, Mike and Frenchy and all de rest of dem. 



4 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETII. 

Stops, sudden thought, slyly looks around stage, rises and starts for 
bar — pause — 

Enter, Hannah, r. r. E., Frenchy slips behind bar, about to drink 
from bottle. 

Hannah, (watching Fkenchy-— in a gruff voice) What yer 
doin''? 

Frenchy. (startled, drops bottle and backs out from b.ar) Nbthin' ! 

Man. Tears ter me you was doin* somethin'. (behind bar 

Frenchy. (aside) Was purty near. 

Han. Whar'sMike? 

Frenchy. On the levee 

Han. Wbar's Taggs? 

Frenchy. Gone with the kids. 

Han. Gone witli the kids! Leave business and gone with the 
—drat that brat— she'll sleep in the cellar with the rati fer that, 
to-night, (looking oJTl., 2 e.) Yes. there she goes, with 'er fish 
pole in 'er hand, a streakin' it fer the levee, (calls) Taggs! 
Taggs! (pause) No, she couldn't hear thunder, if she didn't 
wan ter. 
i Frenchy. Say, what makes 'em call 'er Taggs? 

Han. What makes 'era call you Frenchy? 

Frenchy. 'Cos', 1 corned from de French quarter of de city. 

Han. Den I guess dey call 'er Taggs, 'cos' she come from de 
Taggs quarter. (behind bar 

Frenchy. Well, I guess I'll go and hunt up Mike, (going l., 
2 1-. ) I'll go find -.Mike, (pause) I'm goin' after Mike. 

Han. (sharp) Well go! don't stand talkin' about it. (exit, 
Fkenchy, i..,2e.) Drat that Taggs, I'll make it hot fer her 
when I see her. Ain't worth 'er salt, but I'll fix 'er — (burst oj 
laughter) thare she is now. (exit, l, 2 e. 

Fe-enter, Hannah, l., 2 e., lading Taggs by the ear, throws her 
over to R. c. 

What you's mean by runnin' o3f that er way — say ! 

Taggs. Didn't. (sullen 

Han. Yes yer did too— what'd yer gofer? What yer got in 
yerarms? 

Taggs. Nothin'. 

Han. Yes, yer have too— let me see what it is. (hold o/Taggs 
forcing her arms apart) Thare, that dratted doll, (throws doll 
l., 2 e.) Yer still hangin' outer that. 

Taggs. Quit that, you old eroekodile, you most knocked all de 
saw dust outeu my Raldy. (struggling 

Han. Crockodile, am I ? (shakes her ) I'll teach you— open 
yer arms and let me see what yer got. 

Tag^s. I won't! 

Han. Yes, yer will too— (struggle) Thare, that dratted cat. 
Didn't I tell you this mornin' nor, to t ring that mangy beast here 
again? Where did you get it this time? 

Taggs. Down on the levee— they was goin' to kill it. 

Han. Pity they didn't— now you take that thing right outer 
here, and if I see it 'round her- again, I'll scald it. ' (Taggs hesi- 
tates) Go! I say. (Taggs goes slowly, picks up doll, cat in arms, 



JAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETH. 5 

stops c, undecided) Well, are ye goia' ter throw that critter outen 
the street, or will I have ter throw both yer out? 

Taggs. (sullen) It's mine and I'll keep it. 

Han. Your'n? Why, you ain't got no right to claim nothing 
—you ain't nobody only Taggs, the Waif. Why, that there cat 
wouldn't own you fer her mistress, you ain't good enough— you 
ain't nothin', only — 

Taggs. Mike Doud's little drudge, that's all, ter go at his beck 
and call — to sing and dance fer his gang of cut-throats, 'cos' I am 
the Waif— no father nor mother, nor nothin', and you won't even 
let me have the friendship of a stray cat, what's kicked from door 
to door— you'ns ain't got no right ter throw it outen de street, ter 
be chawed up by dd (log?. 'Cos' I love de kitty, yer wants ter 
kick 'erout. God mule de cat, and God made me, and God made 
us Waifs and without friends — and now you say — 

Han. That you'll sure go into the cellar, less'en yer throw 
that air cat out. Come, inter the cellar you go. 

Taggs. No ! no ! 

Han. Then throw that dratted cat out and get behind dat bar, 
whare you belongs. 

Taggs. (going l., 2 e., slowly, with cat) Kitty, I can't even be 
friends with you, 'cos' I'm only Taggs, de Waif. 

(puts cat out l., 2 e., comes c. and picks up doll 

Han. Friends? Yer got enough friends in dat rag baby you 
think so much of. You fool away enough time with that, when 
3 r er orter be in here, sin gin' to amuse de customers of de house. 
You mind yer biz closer, or I take that away from yer and throw 
'cr in de ash barrel. tyoing to R. u. e. 

Tangs. Better not try ter take Kaldy from me. 

Han. Why? 

Taggs. 'Cos' ! I'd scratch yer eyes out, if yer did. 

(hugging doll close in arms 

Han. You? (laughs) You stay right here now till Mike 
comes. 

Enter, Mike Doud, l., 2 e., coming down. 

Doud. Well, that won't be fer long then — what's the matter 
now, old woman ? 

Han. Nothing, only I was just er firia' out a cat, that that 
thare pest was er hangin' onter. 

Doud. Well, that's all right. Look'ere my girl, I didn't bring 
you up ter the high standard that I have fer yer, to hug up all de 
stray animals in New Orleans. I bringed you up ter tend beer 
ler Mike and Ilanner Doud, and you'll do ic too, or you go inter 
the cellar and dodge the rats ergin. (to Hannah) Whar's Billy? 

Han. Ask her. (points to Taggs 

Taggs. I don't know. (sullen 

Doud. Then whar's Frenchy? 

Han. Went out a huntin' fer j r oti while ago. 

Doud. Then I'll hunt him up — you get a move on yer, old 
woman, fer there's goin' ter be work hereto-night; the towns full 
er p anters and Mexican?, on their anual tradin' trip, and they've 
all got too much of the shiners, and Mike Doud's place will have 
to relieve some of 'em 'fore mornin'. Lite out old woman, and get 
realy ler work, (exrt, Haxxah, r. u. e.— £o Taggs) You stay 



j TAGGS, THE WAIF; Cli, UNCLE SETH. 

' right here and keep yer eye3 pealed fer business, and if any stray 
oats er dogs, er anything else comes around, why, you jist let'em 
alone— say, do you remember that strap I got tocher day? Well, 
1 get 'er fer you, so carry yerself accordin'. Now then, drop that 
doll and get me my coat. (Taggs goes for coat behind bar, comes 
c) Now hold it lor me — (she can't hold coat high enough) hold it 
up, willye. (stie tries again) Git upon that chair, (gets on chair 
«lowly) Maybe ye think you've got 90 days ter do this jb in? 
Now, hold it. (she holds' coat, he goes in it with a jerk — a paper 
jails out, she jumps down and covers paper with doll) IfFrenchy 
comes before 1 come back, tell him to wait, or if any of the others 
come in, tell 'em I want 'em to-night sure — don't forget now and 
don't ye leave here neither. (exit, l,, 2 e. 

'Taggs. (looking after him) Mean old crockodiles, both of 'em. 
I'd like to shove 'em inter the river, (picks up doll and vaper) 
Wonder what that is? (examines paper) Wish I could read, but 
he never gets this ag'in — I'll keep er till I see some feller what 
kin read and find out what it is. (puts paper in bosom) I'd like 
ter stomp all de saw dust outen they'uns, jist like they do you 
sometimes, Raldy, but never mind, we're goin' ter run away 
sometimes, Raldy, quick's we git some more of the shiners. Le's 
see how much we <ior. (very sly, takes money from pocket and 
counts) One — two — three — lour — five — six — seven — my! Raldy, 
we can't never go no Where's and take de cat, on only seven cents, 
we'll have ter stay and be Taggs, the Waif. Now, we're all alone, 
Kaldy, and I'm goin' ter — (looks around, calls) Kitty! kitty! 
kitty! (goes u, 2 e., gets cat) Poor kitty, (sits at table) It's 
pretty rough when a feller can't be friends with a cat— kitty, I 
love you, 'cos' you and Raldy's the only friends I got, 'cos' I'm 
only Taggs, the Waif, (lays head on table and crys) Poor kitty — 
poor Raldy — poor Taggs— ain't nothin', ain't nobody. (crying 

Enter, Seth Mulberry, l., 2 e., comes down l. c, bewildered, 

Seth. Well, here I am, right here in the middle of this big town 
<>f New Orleans, with a load of cotton and two blind mules on my 
hands, and I'm so twisted and turned around. I don't know North 
from straight up. This bere town ain't no place fer an old planter 
like me ter be a hangin' around in, fer I hain't seen nothin' but 
trouble since I come here — was'er drivin' in this mornin', when 
the railroad cars went right in front of me and the mules, and that 
thaie engine give er screech, fit ter waken all the dead and burried 
people ter the last six or seven generations. "When that thare 
machine let out that beller, that off mule, old Nancy, jist laid 
down and squeeled, and the other one, old Jerry, begin ter prance 
and then he begin ter dance, and then he begin ter run like a calf 
in a bumble bees nest. How that mule did run, and run, and run, 
till he went right slap through a pane er glass, bigger'n a barn 
door — he did be gad! (sees Taggs) Hello! little gal, what's the 
matter? 

Taggs. (crying) Ain't nothin'. 

Seth. Ain't ther' ? What yer cryin' fer? (goes to Taggs 

Taygs. 'Cos' I can't find no name fer me cat. Can't you'ns 
tell me one? 

Seth. Well, I might and then ergin I mightn't. 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETII. 7 

Taggs. Try. 

Seth. (seated) Call him Tommy, that's er nice name. 
Taggs. No ! no ! 

Seth. Then call him Jimmy, that's er nice name. 
Taggs. No ! no ! 

Seth. Then call him Dickey, that's er nice name. 
Tag js. No ! no ! 

Seth. Why don't none of them names suit yer ? 
Taggs, 'Cos' he ain't that kind of a cat. Say, you'r an old back 
number planter, ain't yer ? 

Seth. Well, 1 might be and then e gin I mightn't. 
Taggs. But ye are, ain't yer? 

Seth. What ye 4fenter know fer? 

Taggs. 'Cos' if ye are, I got ter fleece yer; you'll have ter fork 
out de shiners fer de lush. 

Seth. What! eh! 

Taggs. Buy de drinks — maybe ye understand dat, you moss 
back! 

Seth. Well, then I'll take a glass er water. 

Taggs. Water ? 

Seth. Er if ye ain't got that handy, I'll take a cup er coffee. 

Taggs. Coffee ? 

Seth. Er a cup er tea. 

Taggs. Tea? Say, what's de matter wid yon? Do you know 
where yer at? 

Seth. Well, I might and then ergin I mightn't. 

Taggs. AVeil, yer in Mike Doud's place, one of de toughest 
saloons in de city, saba? Now, what will ye take? 

Seth. A glass er butter milk. 

Taggs. Not much you won't; this ain't no creamery. De 
weakest thing we got is beer. 

Seth. Then I'll take a piece of beer. 

Taggs. Piece of beer ? 

Seth. Well, then a plate ot beer. 

Taggs. A plate of beer? Say, it's a good thing you don't liv 
in de North. We sell beer by the glass. 

Seth. Then be gad, I'll take a glass er beer. 

Taggs. That's the ta'.k, old man. (gets beer) You either got ter 
trade er get fired out. {brings glass to table, sits 

Seth. Well, I didn't come in here ter be fired out. (drinks) 
Say, little gal — 

Taggs. My name ain't little gal. 

Seth. Well, what might it be then? 

Taggs. It might be Smith, but 'taint. 

Seth. Then what is it ? 

Taggs. Taggs. 

Seth . Taggs— Taggs what ? 

Taggs. Why, Taggs nothin*. 

Seth. Just Taggs? 

Taggs. Just Taggs. I ain't nothin' but just Taggs 

Seth. Are you Mike Doud's little gal ? 

Taggs. Ain't nobody's little gal, only Taggs, de Waif. 

Seth. What do ye get fer stayin' here ? 

Taggs. Why! 1 most generally gets licked. 

Seth. Does he— does he lick yer ? 

Taggs. You bet — it's regular— 'bout twice a week I guess, and 



S TAGGS, THE WAIF; Oil, UNCLE SETH. 

sometimes he puts me in de cellar ter fight de rats. 

Seth. And then what, do you do? 

Taggs. Why! I sets down and cusses Mike Doud. 

Seth. Whar'd Mike Doud git you? 

Taggs. Why ! he got me off en asteam boat — I uster be a mascot 
fer Jeff. He'd never play le-sen I'd touch de cards fer him, but 
dey have busted up all de games on de river, and so Mike Doud 
said I got er come here and wait on customers and sing fer 'em. 

Seth. And you sing fer 'em, do you? Well, won't you sing 
tome fer me? 

Taggs. You'r a pretty nice kind of an old Jay, and I kinder 
likes you — yes, I'll sing some, butye'll have ter buy another beer. 
(goes' for beer at bar) Every song generally calls fer five beers, 
but I've kinder taken a shine ter you, (coming t> table) and I'll 
sing ler the two beers. (Seth drinks) Ante. 

(.holding out her hand 

Seth. Eh ? 

Taggs. Produce! (rapping on table 

Seth. What! 

Taggs. Pay fer de beer. 

Seth. O ! (purse in hand 

Taggs. (looking in purse) My ! you've got stocks of de shiners, 
ain't you? 

Seth. (hands coin) Thare. I 

Taggs, (takes coin) Why! that's a dollar; you only owe me 
ten cents. i 

Seth. You keep the rest of it. 

Taggs. Fer sure? (in surprise 

Seth. Yes, and maybe some more 'fore I leave. 

Taggs. My ! I'm 'fraid I'll get— 

Seth. Eh ? 

Taggs. Held up. 

Seth. Fer what? 

Taggs. Fer de 90 cents, (puts moner in pocket) Thare ! Mike 
Doud don't get his maulies on dat. Say, old man — 

Seth. My name ain't old man. 

Taggs. Well, what is it then ? 

Seth. Do yer want'er know? 

Taggs. Course I does, er I wouldn't er ask yer. 

Seth. Well then, if yer want ter know, I'll tell ye. My names 
Mulberrv, Seth Mulberry, but all the young folks up our way 
call me Unc'e Seth. 

Taggs. Uncle Seth? That kinder sounds nice, believe I'll call 
3 er Uncle Seth. Can I ? 

Seth. If ye want ter, Taggs. 

Taggs. Well, I wantter. Say, Uncle Seth, whare do you live? 

Seth. Live way up in Mississippi, on Mulberry Flat. 

Taggs. Got any kids like me and Raldy up thare? 

Seth. No Taggs, ain't got nothin' but er farm and two blind 
mules. 

Taggs. Wouldn't yer like tor have some girls like me and 
Ealdy? 

Seth. Why I might and then ergin I mightn't. 

Taggs. 'Cos' if yer does, yer can have us. 

Seth. What would Mike Doud say? 

gs. DangMik^ l>oud, if he says anything, I'll sure put 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OE, UNCLE SETH. 

cr head on him — he ain't in it with dis fambly. {holds up doll 
Enter, Hannah, r. u. e., stops and looks at Setii. 

Ain't ye got noihin' but de blind mules, Uncle Seth? 

Seth. Yes, got er wagon. 

Taggs. I mean, ain't dere anything else up dare? 

Seth, Yes, there's a big hotel, but 'tain'fc mine. 

Taggs. I don't care, I wouldn't want er hotel, dey's too much 
trouble. 

Han. (comes c, calls) Taggs! 

Taggs. (aside) O! lordy! Uncle Seth, there's de old crocko- 
dile. 

Han. Come here! (Taggs goes to her) Who is that? 

Taggs. Old planter from up country. 

Han. What made you'ns call him Uncle Seth? 

Taggs. 'Cos' dat's his name! He told me. 

Han. Has he got any of the dosh? 

Taggs. You bet ! Lot's of it, a whole sack full — (stops suddenly) 
er no! no! he ain't got any, it was_ another feller, h : ain't got 
none. 

Han. Ta.igs, yer a little liar, he has too. (goes back of bar) 
You'll go in eie cellar fer that. Now Taggs, you mind de gentle- 
man ani I see that he's enjoyin' hisself. (aside to Taggs) And you 
keep him here till Mike comes, or the worse fer you. I'll send 
for them. (exit, r. u. e. 

Taggs. Old crockodile, I'd like to push 'er In de river, (to 
Seth) Le's finish what we was talkin' erbou". About where 
you lived. 

Seth. O, yes! and do you think you'd like ter live thare? 

Taggs. That's a good piece from here, ain't it? 

Seth. Ye-, a long ways. 

Taggs. Furder dan Mike Doud could come? 

Seth. Further than he would come, Taggs. 

Taggs. Den yer bet yer neck, I'd like ter gojUncle Seth 

Seth. Well then you may go if yer wanter. 

Taggs. Bully ler you, Uncle Seth— shake, (they shake hands) 
Le's have another beer, Uncle Seth, 'fore Mike comes, fer he's 
a goin' ter try ter fleece yer outen all yer dosh, but I won't let 
him. 

Seth. If he tries that game with'yer Uncle Seth, he'll get fooled, 
that's all. 

Taggs. Why so, Uncle Seth, got a gun? 

Seth. Never you mind, just wait and see. 

Taggs. Will ye hurt him ? 

Seth. Well I might, and then ergin I mightn't. 

Taggs. Say, Uncle Seth, kin you read? 

Seth. Why child, I'm the postmaster up ter Mulberry Flat. 

Taggs. (hands paper jrom bosom) Well, you just read that er 
then, and see what 'tis — Mike dropped that a while ago and I 
found er. 

Seth. (unfolding paper) Why, a marriage certificate. 

Taggs. Then 'tain't noihin' about me? " (disappct 

Seth. (reading) "Jeff Dupreu to" — what! What's that 

Helene— Helene— my child— my daughter, am I dreaming? What 



10 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OH, UNCLE SET II. 

can that mean ? I thought ye dead, and now this cursed paper 
tells me that you live — worse than death. O! Helene! flelene! 

Taggs. What's the matter, Uncle Seth— do you know anything 
about that ere paper? 

Seth. Aye! Taggs, too much! too much! I'll tell ye all about 
it gome time. 

Taggs. Hush ! Uncle Seth, here comes Mike Doud. 

Enter, Mike Doud, l., 2 e., goes behind bar and drinks. 

Doud. How's business? 

Taggs. Ain't none. 

Seth. Mister, is your name Mike Doud? 

Doud. That's what I'm generally called. 

Seth. Then I sure wants ter talk with yer awhile, if you'll sit 
with me. 

Doud. (aside t) Taggs) He ain't no cop, nor nothin' ? 

Taggs. IN'aw ! 

Doud. Alright sir! I'm yer man. (seated 

Seth. Taggs, bring ns some beer. We can just as well be com- 
fortab'e while we are about it. (Taggs brings beer to table and 
goes up) Mr. Doud, did you ever know a girl, a woman, a lady 
by the name of Dupree, Helene Dupree? 

! Doud. Well yes, old man, I knowed a woman by that name : 
she wasn't much of a lady ttiougli, ter my way er thinkin', but i 
knowed er 'fore her name was Dupree, 'fore she married — 

Seth. And she was — 

Doud. Wall, she was stewardess on a Mississippi steam boat on 
the "Saucy Belle," run from New Orleans up ter Memphis — her 
name then was Helene Shepherd, so she said, but I never believed 
it. She met Jeff Dupree on one trip — he was the best poker 
player that was on the river — I guess they knowed each other 
'fore that time, least wise they got married mighty quick, an I 
that's all I know, only that Jeff soon left her, and that I ain't got 
1.0 more beer in this here glass. 

Seth. Taggs! some more beer fer Mr. Doud. (she serves him 

Doud. What'd yer wanter know fer, old man? Some relation 
of yours ? 

Seth. Yes, er— that is, no, her father is a friend of mine, that's 
all. Well, I guess I'll go — good-bye, Taggs. 

Doud. Don't rush off, old man. 

Enter, Feenchy and Dalton, l., 2 e., go up to bar— Seth c. 

Frenchy. "Well, I'm back again, Taggsy, and I gofer in United 
States dis time— see ! 

(shows money — Taggs sets out glasses for them to drink 

Seth. Good-night, Taggs. 

Taggs. Ain't goin' Uncle Seth? It's early yet. 

Seth. But my bed time, Taggs— time little" gals like you was 
in bed too. 

Doud. (during above Doud talks in undertone to Feenchy and 
points to Seth — aside) He's got the dosh. 

Frenchy. Then he's our meat. (crosses to Seth 



JAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. It 

Enter, Hannah, r. u. e., stops at end of bar. 

French}/, (to Seth) See here my ancient of the back woods' 
set 'em up. 

Seth. (Mike, Hannah and Dalton talking together, pointing to 
Seth, c.} Set what up? 

Frenchy. Why the drinks, of course. Everybody sets 'em up 
when they come to town. 

Taigs. No, they don't either. 

French}/. Yes, they do too, don't they boys? 

Dou !. Why certainly they do. 

Han. Course they do. it makes trade better, (aside to Taggs) 
Keep yer mouth shet, you little brat. 

Seth. If yer wanted a dime ter buy a drink with, why didn't 
yer say so? 

Frenchy. Would yer give 'er to me ? 

Seth. Well, I might and then ag'm I mightn't. 

Taggs. Yer better go on and go ter bed, Uncle Seth, if yer 
go in' ter. 

Doud. {grabs Taggs and shakes her) Shet up! 

Taggs. Well, he's my Uncle Seth, and I'll talk ter him if I 
wanter. (slips to Seth's side of stage 

Han. Drat that brat. 

Frenchy. Say, yer old moss back, yer don't know who yer 
talk in' to, do yer? (mad 

Seth. A feller 'bout your size, I guess. (cool 

Doud. Stick wid him. Frenchy, he's got de shiners. 

Taggs. And he'll keep 'em too. 

Han. Shet up! Stick a knife in him, Frenchy. 

French}/, (others — Doud, Hannah and Dalton crowd to 
Frenchy's back, drivini Skth r, Taggs front of table) Why, 
darn yer ornery picter, I'd have yer to know dat I'm de boss on 
dis street, I rule de roost— I'm FrenchV, de kid. 

Seth. And I'm Seth Mulberry, a feller what can take care of 
himself. 

Taggs. Good fer you, Uncle Seth, good fer you. 

Han. (to Taggs) Shet up! (Doud shakes his fist at her 

Frenchy. Say, yer old Jay, I wanter tell you a story, (takes 
chair front of Seth, sets fool in same) Once there was an old moss 
back like you come ter New Orleans, and I asked him ter set 'em up 
and he wouldn't do it— the next mornin' the cops found him up 
on de levee wid a hole in him, here, (hand on heart) Dat's de 
kind of a feller I am. (crosses over to others 

Seth. (cool) It is, is it? 

Frenchy. Yes, it is, is it ! 

Seth. Now, let me tell you a story, (takes chair, crosses to 
"Frenchy and sets foot in same) Once there was a ornery half- 
breed cuban like you, come to Mulberry Flat, and tried to rule the 
roost — well, all to once, he disappeared — thev hunted 'round fer 
two days and succeeded in gettin' enough pieces in a market 
basket ter hold a funeral over. They generally thought that a 
powder mill exploded, but it didn't, it was yer Uncle Seth that 
hit him— that's the kind of er man I am. (crosses down to r. 

French}/. 0! it is, is it? 
Seth. Yes, it is, is it. 

Taggs, Bully fer you, Uncle Seth, yer got the whole eanf 



12 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 

carrolled. 

Han. You shet up you imp and come here ! 

Taggs. Go to thunder yer old crockodile ! 

Dond. What's de matter wid you Frenchy ? Stick de knife in 
him. 

Frenchy. (knife in hand) Old man, I'm goin' ter have some 
excitement. {feeling edge of knife 

Seth. And a hlack eye if ye ain't powerful careful ! 

Taggs. Stay wid 'em, Uncle Seth. 

Han. You shet up. (Taggs front of Seth 

Frenchy. Mike, take that blasted kid away from thare; take er 
away er I'll cut her shoe strings fer her. 

(Taggs laughs, Seth lifts her upon table 

Han. What's de matter Frenchy? Git a move on yer. 

Doud. Knife him Frenchy, knife him ! 

Taggs. Cowards! cowarls! 

Frenchy. (croivd up) Old man, I'm goin' to have a piece of yer 
< a r , will ye give up? (croivd up 

Seth. No! {goes side of table, Taggs stands on table 

Frenchy. Then, dam yer, here's at ye ! 

(starts to rush on Seth with knife, otlurs crowd up 

Seth. Stop! (all pause) I'll tell ye what I will do, I'll give 
'e just five seconds ter git out of here, or I'll blow yer all ter 
Memphis. 

Presents pistols at crowd — they start back, stumbling against each 

other. 

Taggs. Hurrah fer Uncle Seth, Raldy ; hurrah ! hurrah ! 

On top of table wildly dancing and whirling doll above her head — 
confusion, 

CUB TAIN. 



ACT II. 

SCENE I.— Woods in 2nd. grooves, 

Enter, Jeff Dupree, l. e., and Bijou Darkixgtox, r. e., they 
meet c, he raises his hat as they pass, pauses r. c. and looks 
after her — Bijou u c, going. 

Jeff. Bijou — Miss Darrington — 

Bijou, (turning) I beg your pardon — Jeff Dupree! 

Jeff. At your service, (shaking hands) 1 thought I could not 
be mistaken in your identity, although it hnsbeen live years since 
we have met, but that rive years has rested lightly with you Bijou 
—pardon me, but it has been an improvement — you look more 
charming than ever. 

Bijou. Thanks, Monsieur ! but you flatter me, however I can 
not return the compliment, lor your lace tells me that father time 
lias not been so kind to you, lor by the lines < n your face, the 
crow's feet at your eyes tell me that you have seen trouble. As I 
Yisq— (raising his hat) a gray hair— ah! old father time is shaking 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. IS 

a dredging box over your head. 

Jeff. Yes, 'tis true. Five years ago I was, as you know, a 
prosperous planter, was independent — to-day I am a baggar, 
caused by the war and the cursed South. 

Bijou. Take care, you forget that I claim the South as my birth 
place, my country, my hom3. The blooJ that courses through my 
veins— though French — is the warm blood of the Sunny South. 

Jeff. And am I not a Southerner? I am as loyal to" her cause 
to-day, as I was the day Abe. Lincoln issued his call for 20,0l)J 
more men, but my espousing the cause of the South, is the reason 
of my present poverty — the reason I am known as Gentleman Jett. 

Bijou. Gentleman Jett', the noted gambler, the prince of that 
light fingered gentry. 

Jeff'. The same! the day was, when I would have scorned a 
card, to-day 'tis my ruling passion — the war is the cause of it all. 
First, my slaves were set free, then my plantation was lost in 
obscurity — 'tis true, I still own it, but a southern gentleman 
work? No! all I had left was my boat, the ''Saucy Bell." 

Bijou. The Saucy Bell? The noted blockade runner; and 
was that vours ? 

Jeff. Yes, and a truer little craft never danced merrily over 
the bosom of the old Mississippi. 

Bijou. The Saucy Bell. Ah! I've often heard of that darin j 
little craft — and where is she now? "The South has great cause t > 
thank her for her work, Monsieur — 'twas a good cause, and the 
Saucy Bell worked nobly for it. [ would like to see that boat, 
where is she now? 

Jeff. To-day she lies in tne mud at the bottom of the Mississippi 
river. That cursed Yankee hoard found her, burned her to the 
water's level, and in glee, watched the murky waters of the old 
Mississippi close over her, watched her pass from their sight for- 
ever. That is why I cursed the South — 'tis the reason 1 bee inn a 
gambler — the reason you see me here to-day — to, if possible, re- 
plemish my almost exausted exchpquer — but you do not t;ll nu 
whv I find you here in the grounds of the Grand View hote 1 . 

Bijou. The reason ! 'Tis almost identical with yours, Monsieur. 

Jeff. With mine, Bijou? 

Bijou. Yes, when a woman is thrown upon her own resources, 
there is but one thing for her to do these d iys. 

Jeff. And that is? 

Bijou. To marry a rich husband, that is why you see me here. 

Jeff. And you have — 

Bijou. Failed! Yes, Monsieur, the bait was not sufficiently 
tempting; I have failed, so now you see me leaving. 

Jeff. Leaving; so soon? Surely you are not dissatisfied with 
the accommodations of the Grand View? Or have you become 
tired of this truly beautiful spot? 

Bijou. Oh ! Monsieur, poverty very often forces one to become 
tired of a place, whether they will or not — 'tis so in my case. A 
three france piece would look a fortune in my eyes — in fact, I have 
been ejected from the Grand View, on account of an unpaid bill. 

Jeff. So bad as that ? 

Bijou, So bad that I have not a sou ! 

Jeff. Bijou, I cm help you if you will. Have you any objec- 
tions to a partnership with me? 

Bijou. I object to nothing, if it will only bring me money, that 



U TAGGS, THE WAIF; OH, UNCLE SETH% 

I must have. 

Jeff. And that I can promise you, for with your help, I can 
see my way clearly to a cool 5,000. Bijou, we wera once partners 
in the play house and mud pie business — were sworn lovers when 
we were seven years of age — [ could trust you then — I feel that I 
can trust you now. 

Bijou. Only say money, and I will stop at nothing— but your 
wife? 

Jeff. My wife? I have no wife — 'tis true there is one who 
bears my name, but my name only. She with her cursed nor- 
thern principles and her clandestine lovers, her false heart — has 
drove me to what I am, has ruined me. I killed her lover, I 
should have killed her— we are enemys till death. But no more 
of that, we have other busines-. I told you that I w r as hereto 
improve my fortunes, now I will tell j r ou my plan for doing so, 
but first, will you read that? (hands legal paper 

Bijou, (reading) "Mulberry Flats, Aug. the — " 

Jeff. The date is to be filled in. 

Bi,ou. O! yes. (reads) "1867: This is to certify that I, Seth 
Mulberry, of my own free wi.l. agree, that if I ever wish to sell 
my farm, (known as Mulberry Flats, consisting of 40 acres) I will 
at once notify and give the first chance to purchase same, to Jeffer- 
son Dupree, for a sum upon which we may agree, as a forfeit on 
his (Duprees) part to fulfill his part of contract, I this day do 
receive from him $200; said $200 in case of sale to be credited 
to him. Signed, Jelt'erson Dupree and — " the other signatures 
are not here as yet. Well — (turning to Jeff 

Jeff, (slipping one paper off of other) Xow read. 

Bijou, (reading) "Keeeived of Jeff Dupree $200, being: pay- 
ment in full lor my farm, known as Mulberry Flats; signed, 
etc., etc." (taming) Well, one is an agreement, the other a 
receipt, both unsigned except by you — as they are, they are worth- 
less — what they may lead to, I do not pretend to know —enlighten 
me. 

Jiff, (takingpopers and placing them as they were at first) I will, 
I expect to get Mulberry to sign that paper, when he does so, he 
will not. know that there are two papers, one cut so that thosi 
words show through that are wanted, and those that are not 
wanted, do not show. When he will sign that paper, they are 
both together and innocent enough. Then all we have to do is to 
remove the upper one and he has clearly sold hi* farm for $200 — 
and you must sign of course, as a witness, and we are joint owners 
ot Mulberry Flats. 

Bijou. All very well, Monsieur, but 1 do not want to own a 
farm or be a dairy maid, all i want is money. 

Jeff. And you shall have it too. Listen : the government has 
decided to purchase the land as a national park, and have voted to 
pay him $5,000 for it. He knows nothing of that, so for $200 we 
can get $5,000. 

Bijou. 1 see! I see! What a win 1 fall, what a God send — and 
my part is — 

Jeff. To play the part of a disinterested friend to both sides, to 
persuade the old man to sign that paper, to sign it yourself, and 
to see that w r e have no witnesses but yourself. 

Bijou. If I do all this, then — 

Jeff, There is a five pound note. 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 15 

Bijou, (takes money) Five pounds, the bank of England, $25. 

Jeff. Yes, $25, and if you succeed, I promise you 50 times the 
amount. 

Bijou. Ah ! Monsieur, we must succeed, but the amount quite 
takes my breath away. 

JetT. Buc $1,250 will soon restore it. 

Bijou. Oui ! 'Twould tempt one to return from paradise. 

Jeff. Take that $25, go to the Grand View, i roeure a room — 
my room is 96, you get 95 or 97, so as to be near me, cultivate the 
acquaintance of old Mulberry and his adopted daughter — he ii the 
Postmaster, so you will have a good excuse. I shall try to arrange 
h meeting to take place in the parlors of the Grand View soon. 
Meet me in the lobby of the hotel this evening at (looks at watch) 
seven. I trust you fully, don't dare to play me false. 

(exit, L. E. 

Bijou. Oui! Monsieur — not 1, au revoir till seven. Was there 
ever such a wind fall, $25, with the promise of 1250 more, and ten 
minutes ago, I was penniless. I have tried for days to raise the 
wind, and succeeded at last, when least expected. To-morrow he 
may not know me, or may wish to marry me, just as the notion 
takes him. (looking at bill in hand 

Taggs. (off r., singing) "Razzle, dazzle, boom tarara, I whistle 
and wait for Katie." 

Enter, Taggs, r. e., on a run, with a pail in hand, stops suddenly 
and looks at Buou. 

(aside) Ain't she a diz? 

Bijou, (aside) The f dry of the forest— a heroine in r.ig.; — an' 
un cut gem — a diamond in the rough. 

Taggs. (singing and looking at Buou) "Dj coppers will git 
you, Suzy," 

Bijou. What have you in your pail, lirt'e girl? 

Taggs. Xothin' ! do yer want some? 

B jou. And what were you going to get in it? 

Tangs. Blackberries fer to make a pie fer my Uncle Seth's sup- 
per, Saba ? 

Bijou. And why don't you get them? 

Taggs. 'Cos' I don't know a blackberry from a ham sandwitch, 
an 1 Uncle Setli'll have ter do widout a pie to-night. 

Bijou. A country girl not know a blackberry? (laughing 

Taggs. 1 ain't no country girl, I come from New Orleans, uster 
tend bar thar' fer .Mike; Doul, and yer be!; yer neck, we run de 
toughest joint in de city. 

Bijou. Then how did you cime to be away up here? 

Taggs. Why yer see, Uncle Seth, he come down dar on a little 
sport. n' fake, and he got inter a scrap wid de coppers, and he 
come inter Mike's joint, so's dey wouldn't git sights on him. 

Bijou. But how did you come here? 

Taggs. Wid me legs o' co'rse. Yer don't see no trolly cars a 
runnin' here, do ye? 

Bijou. But who are you? 

Taggs. I'm de letter that never came. 

Bijou. O! but little girl, you don't understand me— what 13 
your name ? 



16 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SET II. 

Taggs. Taggs. 

Bijou. Taggs what? 

Taggs. Why Taggs nothin'. You don't 'spose a feller has ter 
have a handle to his name if he don't wanter, do you? 

Bijou. But most people do. 

Taggs. But I ain't most people. I'm just Taggs. 

Bijou. Wliere do you live ? (Taggs down on stage, playing with 
vail) Litlle girl — Taggs — 

'Taggs. Hun! 

Bijou. Where do you live? 

Taggs. With my Uncle tieth up ter Mulberry Flats; that's 
where. 

Bijou. Then you are his adopted daughter, are you not? 

Taggs. Huh ! 

Bjou. He took you to raise? 

Taggs. I don't need no raisen— I'll bring myself up. Say, 
\\ hat's your name? 

Bijou. Bijou Darrington. 

Taggs. And what was yer doin' here in the woods? 

Bijou. I was taking a constitutional. 

Taggs. (interested) Whar's you takin it to? 

Bijou. 1 mean I was taking a walk. 

Taggs. O ! I generally comes here ter roll on the grass and kick 
up my heels and holler just as loud as I can, 'cos' there ain't no 
n em old cop ter come along and tell yer to keep off'en the grass 
and ter move on. 

Bijou. Well Taggs, I've rather taken a fancy to you, and while 
1 stay at the Grand View, I am going to take you as my protegee. 

Taggs. Your what egee? 

Bijou. Why, I'll be a friend to you and learn you all I can. 

Taggs. (aside) Ah! rats, I thought she inent something when 
she said that biir word. 

Bijou. And I'll come to see you often at your house. You 
want me to come, don't you? 

Taggs. (aside) Yes, I'm just dyin' to see you. 

Bijou. What did you say, Taggs? 

Taggs. You'll send me word 'fore you come, won't you# 

Bijou. Yes, if you wish it. 

Tangs, (aside) Then I won't be at home when she comes. 

Bijou. Well, I must be going — I'll see you soon, Taggs. 

Taggs. Wait! I wanter ask yer somethin' — can I? 

Bijou. If you wish too. 

Taggs. Well then, if a nigger in Tennessee calls a white man :i 
liar, how long will it take a doctor to pick de lead outen him? 

Bijou, (aside) Really, she's a very peculiar child, (aloud) I 
don't know Taggs, how long will it? 

Taqgs. Dey~don't pick it out, dey just bury him"and let 'er g G 
at that — see! (runs off r., 1 e., laughing 

SCENE II. — Kitchen in 3rd grooves — small table l. laid for two, 
three slices ofbreadandjug of molasses on table, chairs to table, 
small box on chair for Taggs to sit on — chair up R. 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SET II. 17 

Enter, Taggs, l. e., on a run, calling. 

Taggs. Uncle Seth ! Uncle Seth ! Say, Uncle Seth, I couldn't 
—why! where's Uncle Seth? {goes l., 3 e., calls, goes R., 3 e., 
calls, goes c, calls, comes down, rattles pail loudly as a gong, call- 
ing) Supper ! supper ! supper ! Come on to supper, Uncle Seth ! 
(pause) I guess lie ain't eomin'. (goes to table) Supper all ready. 
My! I'm awful hungry— L guess I won't wait fer Uncle Seth. 
(climbing in chair) 'Cos' I yot a appetite that'll kick if I do. 
(looks over table) Lasses and bread, and bread and lasses, and 
that's what ge s me every time— I like lasses, (pouring molasses 
on plate, holds jug very high, so as to make molasses string) and I 
like bread too. (takes two large pieces) 1 wish Uncle Seth would 
come. If I was as big as my appetite, I bet I'd be a dandy. 

(eating 

Enter, Seth, r., 1 e. * 

Seth. Hello! Taggs, eatin' supper, are ye? That's right my 
girl, that's right; girls like you wariter eat lots — eat all yer want. 
Taggs. You b t yer neck I will, Unole 8 :th, if the grub holds 
our. (eating) Whar' ye bin? 

Seth. (brings clear from it. to c.) Bin puttin' up the mail. 
Taggs. Nothin' fer me 1 reckon? 

Seth. Xo! Who'd ye 'spose would write to you, Taggs? 

Taggs. How'd i kno\v who migh ;? Lot's t r people might write 
ter me. 

Seth. Yes they might, ami then ergin they mightn't. 

Taggs. That's so, Uncle Seth — why don't yer come on ter yer 
supper ? 

Seth. 'Cos' I ain't hungry, Taggs— you go on and eat your 
supper. 

Taggs. Ain't hungry ! My ! I wish I could divide my appetite 
with you, 'cos I believe I've got enough fer two. (eating) Bread 
and lasses fer supper and ain't hungry ? Well then, if Uncle Seth 
ain't hungry, I ain't either. (climbs down 

Seth. Done eatin', Taggs? 

Tag is. Yep! Wasn't as hungry as I thought I was. 

Seth. Then if yer done eatin', come here and we'll go on with 
school teachin'. (Taggs goes to him oni kneels side of him) Now 
Ta<rg*, have ye forgot what I told you yesterday? 

Taggs. I 'spect 1 have, Unc'e Seth, try me and see. 

Seth. Well then we'll commence on arithematic— let me see 
how fer you can count. 

Taggs. One— two? 

Seth. Yes, that's right, go ahead. 

Taggs. Three — four — live— six— seven— eight— nine — ten. 

!-eth. Don't sop— go on. 

Taggs. (quick) Jack— Queen — Kins. 

Seth. Xo! no! Tasrgs, that ain't right. 

Taggs. Yes it is, Uncle Seth. That's the way we counted at 
31 ike bond's plaC3. 

Seth r But that ain't right, it's ten — eleven— twelve — thirteen 

Taggs. Hold on Unale Seth, you are runnin' in a marked deck 
on us. 

Seth. Ah ! Taggs, my girl, I fear ye'll never learn. 



18 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OH, UNCLE SET II. 

Taggs. So do I Uncle Seth, but give me another chance. 

Seth. Well then, if there are Ave sheep in a pen, and two jump 
out, how many left? 

Taggs. (studies) Wei!, (slowly) thcre'd be— was it sheep or 
hogs. 

Seth. Sheep. 

Taggs. Then thare wouldn't be none left. 

Seth. Taggs! Taggs! 

Taggs. Well there wouldn't— 'cos' if one was ter jump out, ah 
the rest would foller. 

Seth. Taggs, ye'll never learn it. 

Taggs. Try me on somethin' else. 

Seth. Well then, have you forgot [all about Geography I told 
you? 

Taggs. I 'spect I have, Uncle Seth, try me. 

Seth. Then what is a strait? 

Taggs. (studies) A strait is a — er — when the boys play 'em, 
they beat three of a kind. 

Seth. Taggs ! Taggs ! 

Taggs. Yes, they do, Uncle Seth — that's the way they play at 
Mike Doud's. I know what a streight is — try me on samethin' 
else. 

Seth. Get the Bible, Taggs. 

Taggs. That's the stuff, (rising) That's a boo'.c out of sight. 
{going r., 3 e.) 1 remember what you told me about that. 

(exit, k., 3 e. 

lie-enter, Taggs, r., 3 e., with large book, with great show oj weight, 
comes to Seth. 

My ! that's heavy, why don't yer get a littler one, Uncle Seth ? 

{takes former position 

Seth. (opening book) What did we read about last, Taggs ? 

Taggs. Why, it was erbout snakes and apple-, and men and 
women. 

Seth. Adam and Eve, Taggs. 

Taggs. Yes! them's the teller's, only I couldn't think of their 
names, and how was they dressed, Uncle Seth. 

Seth. They made dresses of fig leaves. 

Taggs. That's the stuff— fig leaves, (pause) Say, Uncle Seth. 
did de snake come ter Eve? 

Seth. Yes, that's what the Bible says. 

Taggs. (pause) Did Eve wear boots? 

Seth. Wear boots? Taggs, what yer thinkin' about? 

Taggs. O! I was jis' a wonderin' if the snakes got in like dey 
:lid in Mike Doud's boot's once. 

Seth. Taggs, ye orient ter talk that er way about Bible people, 
'tain't right. 

Taggs. O! I know it Uncle Seth, but I was just a thinkin'. A 
feller can't keep from thinkiu' yer know. 

Seth. Now Taggs, you be right still, and I'll read some fer ye. 

Taggs. How still must I be. Uncle Seth? 

Seth. Be so still ye can hear a pin drop. 

Taggs. Well go on with yer readin'. Uncle Seth. 

Seth. (reads) Chapter the thirteenth — 

Taggs. Don't read that one, Uncle Seth. 



JAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETS. 19 

Seth. Why not? 

Taggs. 'Cos' thirteen is a hoo do every time. Read fourteen. 
Seth. (reads) Chapter fourteen, verse first*, and the Apostle 
Paul said — 

Enter, Jeff, r., 1 e., quickly. 

Jeff. Good evening sir? I am told that this is the Post oflic ; 
and you the postmaster. I am stopping at the Grand View, and 
tailed to have my mail sent in care of that house, so I suppose I 
shall call for it here ! Lavv'son — Frances Lawson ! 

Seth. Well, I'll see. (looks over a number of letters in his hat 

Taggs. {aside) Gentleman Jeff. 

(looks at him ami laughs, he meets her eye and starts 

Jeff, (aside) The devil! Taggs! How came she here? 

Taggs rises and goes to l. c, about to speak to Jeef, he signs to 
her not to sjieak — she goes back to Seth, troubled — icatches Jeff. 

Seth. Well Mister, there's nothin' here fer yon. 

Jeff. No! probably the letters I am expect: n.i;\ will arrive to- 
morrow. 

Seth. Well, they might, and then a'gin they mightn't. 

Jeff. Exactly sir! but I shall take the benefit of the doubt and 
rail. I greatly enjoy the walk here from the Grand View, the 
scenery is very picturesque— I should greatly like to own such a 
place as this lor it's historical ree.ml. There was a great battle 
louglit heie a few years ago, 1 believe . 

Seta. Yes, Mister, blood v and sickening, as well as great. 

Jeff. So you saw that, did you? Was in that battle, maybi? 

>tth. No ! What account would I be in battle? They wanted 
soldiers— strong men who could fight a hand to hand conflict, if 
necessary. 1 was born here, Mister. Father and mother lived 
and died here, and so will I. 1 love the old place as though it was 
a living thing. Years ago I was familiar with every stone, every 
giant tree in the woods, where the squirrels barked and chattered 
a 1 day, but now 1 am an old man, of no use to any one, and those 
things are but a memory, a dream. I've sat here in the old house 
and looked at the old trees and that grand old mountain thare, with 
her snow cappe 1 summit, until I've grown to love 'em as liv.n' 
things. 1 know that's wrong, and the good book here, says we 
ortent ter do it, but stranger, I can't help it, it's my nature, but 
'twon't be fer long. I'm goin' down all the' time, soon I'll fall, and 
then a short time, all there'll be to mark whar' Seth Mulberry was, 
will be a mound of green moss, jist like the old tree. 

Taggs. O: Uncle Seth, 1 wish you wouldn't talk that er way, 
it makes me feel like 1 was er goin' ter have the chills and fever'. 

Seth. Well! well! Taggs, 1 won't do it no more, but yer Uncle 
Seth's kinder got the blues this evenin'. Excuse me Mister, fer 
runnin' on so, but I'm glad ye like Mulberry Flat3, I want every 
body ter like it, and like old Seth Mulberry and Taggs too, don't 
we Taggs ? 

Tangs. Yer bet yer neck we do, Uncle Seth. 

Jeff. Yes, Mr. Mulberry, I do like Mulberry Flats, I have taken 
a great fancy to it, and would be glad to call the place my own, 
and if you should want to part with it, we will not haggle over 



SO TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 

the price. 

Seth. Well Mister, I don't know, it don't look right fer me ter 
part with the old place, but here's all I live fer. (putting arm 
around Taggs) She's all I got, and if the worst come 2 , we'll have 
to part with the farm — we'ns are all right now, Mister. 

Jeff. Well &ir ! at any time you wish to sell, communicate with 
me at the Grand View, and as J said before, the price shall be no 
object. (exit, k. k. 

Seth. (Taggs takes former position) Taggs, what do ye think 
about sellin' the old place? 

Taggs. I don't know, what do you think? 

Seth. We may have to", Taggs. 

Taggs. Then if we have to, why sell er, and if don't, why don't. 
Go on with yer readin', Uncle Seth. 

Seth. Whar* was I? Chapter fourteen. And the Apostle 
Paul— 

Taggs. Say, Uncle Seth — now what did Paul say? 

Seth. Why the Apostle Paul said — 

Enter, Bijou, K., 1 e., quickly. 

Bijou. Good evening, Uncle Seth — Mr. Mulberry. I beg par- 
don, but I have heard you called Uncle Seth so often, the title has 
become so familiar to me Monsieur, that I quite forgot myself, 
being an entire stranger to you, let me ask your pardon. I do 
not wish to intrude Monsieur, but merely called to a>k for mail. 
1 was expecting, by this day's post, a remittance from my limine, 
France — what you Americans call, the land of the sunshine. Is 
there any maiTfor Bijou Darrington? 

^eth. W ell, I'll see. (business with hat as before 

Tags, (aside) Bats! she's the one what said I was goin' lerbe 
her, what you call it — she's jist like a cat, all right while ye rub 
the fur the right way, jist like velvet then, but you bet yer neck, 
the claws are thare, and I 'spect somebody'll get scratched too. 

Seth. No, Miss, thar's nothin' fer yer. 

Bijou. Then 1 have had my walk for nothing, but perhaps what 
I am expecting, may arrive by to-morrow's post. 

Seth. Yes, it might, and then ergin it mightn't. 

Bijou. 'Twill give me great pleasure to call to-morrow, as I 
believe I can claim acquaintance with the little girl — your daughter 
— I met her less than an hour ago, Monsieur. 

Seth. Did you meet the lady, Taggs? 

Taggs. (slowly) Yes, 'twas in the woods. 

Bijou. Yes, 'twas in the woods, and we soon became acquainted, 
and I hope we. will be the best of friends during my stay at the 
Grand View, this summer. 

Seth. Well, I don't know, I was er thinkin' of sendin' Taggs 
Ter school clown ter Memphis — we'ns are poor people, Miss, but°I 
want Taggs ter be edicated. 

Bijou. Why, Monsieur, the very thing, I can offer you a plan, 
if you will not think it forward in me. 

Taggs. Well, spring it, she can't turn our stomach, can she, 
Uncle Seth ? 

Bijou. I was about to offer my services as teacher, happily, 
Monsieur, I am blessed with a good education, and as f am stop- 
ping at the Grand View for the summer, and with nothing to do 



TAG GS, THE WAIF; OB. UNCLE, SETK. S) 

I should like nothing better than to teach your little girl, I woulc' 
become her tutor gratis. 

Seth. But the trouble it would put you too — 

B>j >u. Trouble ? No Monsieur, believe me, 'twould be a pleas- 
ure. 

Set 'i. Taggs, would ye like the lady to teach ye, so ye can read 
books, so ye can read figures like the girls in the city's? Woulc 
ye, Taggs? (pause) Taggsi 

Tuij is. Huh ! 

Seth. !>n ye want the lady f-r yer teacher? 

Taggs. (sullen) Ain't dead stuck on it. 

Bijou. I am sure we would get along nicely. 

Seth. O! Taggs is bright— I been a teaehin' her — she's quick 
ter learn — Taggs, make yer respects ter the lady and say a piece. 

Taggs. Oh ! Uncle Seth, I don't want to. 

Seth. Do Taggs — say it fer me then. 

Taggs. Well, I'll say it fer you. 

Seth. (to Bijou) I'learned her this, but I didn't know all of it, 
so she fixed it up ter suit herself. Go on, Taggs. 

Taggs. Jack and Jill went up the hill, 
For to rush the growler ; 
Jack fell down and broke a $3 bill, 
And Jill said, keen the change Jackey, it's all yours. 
(runs off l. k., laughing and singing 

Seth. Taggs is an awful lively girl. Miss— I don't know what 
I'd do, if it wasn't fer her, she's all the sunshine of my life now, 
and Taggs loves her Uncle Seth too. 

Bijou. Yes, I see that there is a great bond of friendship be- 
tween you, she will be a great support for you to lean on in your 
old age. 

Seth. Yes she might, and then ergin she mightn't. I thought 
that once before, but ye know that man proposes and God dis- 
poses. 

Enter, Taggs. l., 3 e., comes to table. 

Taggs. That ain't right. Uncle Seth. Man proposes and de 
girl give3 him de razzle dazzle. (climbs into chair and eats 

Bijou. But Mr. Mulberry, don't you become lonesome here? 
This place is so quiet. Don't you sometimes long for the noise 
and bustle of the city ? 

Taggs. (aside) Bustles is outer date now. 

Seth. I uster, but not now— long's Taggs is satisfied, then I'm 

satisfied. . , ,,,,.. 

Bijou. I should think, Monsieur, that you would sell this place 
and o-o to the city — with all the tourists and moneyed men stop- 
ping 'at the Grand View, get them to bidding against each other, 
and°you could get a great deal more for the place than 'tis really 

worth. 

Seth. But that ain't right, that would almost be cheatin'. The 
good book says, "treat yer neighbor as yerself." # 

Bijou. Y T es, Monsieur, that i- true, but there is a gentleman at 
the hotel now. who wants your place badly, and will give an 
exorbitant price for it, he even offers $200 for the first refusal of 



22 TAGGS, THE WAIF; Oli, UNCLE SET a. 

it. 

Seth. Well, lie might, ami then ergin lie mightn't. I ain't de- 
cided ter soil, when I do I'll — I'll see him first. {exit, r:., :i e. 

B jou. (uwtzhing him off — aside) My* lirst stroke for 250 pounds 
— now to make my peace with the girl, (aloud) Taggs, Monsieur 
Mulberry has left us to grow better acquainte 1 with each o her. 
Won't you come and shake hands with ine? [pause) Tagga ! 

Ta/gs. (at table eating) Huh! 

Bijou. Shake hands ■ with me and let us be friends, (pause) 
Won't you? 

Taggs. Huh ! 

Bijou. Don't you want to shake hands with me? 

Taggs. (aside) O! I'm just dyin' ter shake hands with her. 

Bijou. If you don't shake hands with me, I shall think that 
301 don't like me — (pause) are you coming? 

Taggs. (aside) I s'pose I'll have ter, fer Uncle Seth's sak \ 

Puts hand in molasses and crosses to Bijou, slowly — they shake 

hands. 

Bijou, (jerks hand away, jumps back) Whv! Taggs, what's 
that? 

Taggs. (u c, licking her fingers) Lasses! 

Bijou. Molasses? (holding hand away from dress 

Taggs. (licking fingers and laughing) Yes! (aside) She's 
'iraid she'll git stuck on herself, (aloud) Here, eat 'em oft", thev 
are good. (hands piece of bread 

Bijou, (wipes hand with bread) Taggs, why did you serve me 
that' way? 

Taggs. 'Cos' I wanted too, that's why. I don't like you — you 
are a cat, but you won't scratch me, nor my Uncle Seth, neither. 

Bijou. Why Taggs, what ever put such an idea as that in your 
head ? 

Taggs. Why! itjistcome thare, that's all. (by table — aside) 
I bet I'll raise her clean outen degame right now. (jumping back) 
O! th are's a rat! a rat! aratrunnin' at you — a rat! a rat! (scream- 
ing — Bijou screams and runs to opposite side of stage, jumps on 
chair and gathers up skirts, looking for rat — Taggs opposite of 
Bijou, laughing and pointing to her) Another train held* up in th'j 
West. (exit, l. e., on a run, laughing 

SCENE III. — A Street or Wood seine in 1st. grooves. 

Enter, Jeff, r. e. 

Jeff. At last luck seems to favor me. This scheme of mine will 
certainly prove a success. I had almost given up all hope of ever 
restoring my fallen fort ines — cards we e all a gainst me — nothing 
went right, but nu\v 1 teel most s.xnguine of success. Old Mulberry 
failed to recognize me as his son-in-law. (laughs) What a sur- 
prise it would be to the religion-; ol 1 crank, to learn t lat Frances 
Lawson, the gentleman of leisure, was his promising son-in-law, 
Jeff Dupree, who won the title of the prince of gamblers, in the 
palmy days of the old Mississippi. They called me gentleman 
Je& then, and gentleman -Jeff it shall be, corns what may. 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SET II. 23 

Enter, Taggs, r. e., on a run and laughing, runs into Jeff. 

Taggs. Hello! what yer tryin' ter do? Yer better knock a 
feller down and be done with it. That jarred all my teeth loose ; 
I 'spect I'll have ter gum it through all the rest of my life. Why ! 
hello ! Jeffey old boy. how do you run ? 

Jef. Taggs! you have not forgotten me then? 
Tangs. Forgot you? Not much, when a feller says that Taggs 
will fergit her friends, then all they've got ter do is ter put up 
their dukes and shy their castor, (pugalistic attitude) That's me 
every tiim, yer c m bet yer neck I m a dead game sport. 

Jeff. So I see, and as lively and light hearted as ever. Taggs, 
was you ever serious a minute in your life? 

Taggs. No, I 'spect not ; 1 jist always teel like I wanted to holler 
jist as loud as I can, and be a bad gang and paint things red, list 
like Mike Doud does, when he gits a jag on. O ! sometime* I feel 
jist like I wanted ter sit right down kesplunk (sits on stage) like 
that and cry, only I feel more like laughin'. ( a'ighs 

Jeff. Yes, Taggs, I can easily believe that — it's your disposition. 
The clouds may cross the sun, but it makes no dark spot for you — 
you are always happy and have been ever since I knew you. 

Taggs. Say, Jeff, how long have you knowed me? 

Jeff, Why. ever since you was about four years old, when I 
first went on the Saucy Bell. 

Taggs. Well, it you've knowed me that long; on the dead 
square now, Jeftey, who am I? 

Jeff. Now Taggs, you have asked me a hard question. You've 
been Taggs, the Waif, ever since I knew you. When I went ou 
the Saucy Bell, you was there, no one knew how long you had 
been there, or where you come from — you was under no one's 
charge, so I took you in care — 

Taggs. Then I ain't nobody in particular, only jist Taggs. 

Jeff. That's about the size of it, Taggs. 

Taggs. And I s'pose I'll jist always be Taggs, the Waif. 

Jeff. That lies with you, Taggs, whether you make a name for 
yourself to be proud of, or to be ashamed of, is with you and you 
onlv — you are practically on your own resources. 

Taggs. What's de matter wid Uncle Seth ? Ain't he in it? 

Jeff. Your Uncle Seth, as you call him, is an old man, Taggs, 
his work is nearly over, and as you must know, is a very poor 
man. 

Tagjs. Yes, I know that, but all I'm kiokin' about, is dat I 
wanter be somebody. I don't care who, just so I'm somebody 
'ceptin' Taggs. 

Jeff, (aside) I fear that will never be. (aloud) Why do you 
call Mulberry your uncle, TagiS? 

Taggs. 'Cos' 1 loves him and he loves me — he's the only one 
that was ever kind ter me ; he don't get mad and lick me like Mike 
Doud did, and he said I could call him my Uncle Seth. 

Jeff. And how did you come to be away up here? I thought 
you was in New Orleans. 

Taggs. Well, Uncle Seth came down thare and I seen him at 

Mike's, and I took a shine to him right off— dey was agoin' ter 

razzle dazzle him ter all hisdosh, and we got inter a scrap? I was 

ired of bein' a beer waiter fer Mike, and Uncle Seth said I could 

ome and stay with him if I wanted to, and I iustco ne, and that's 



24 TAGGS, THE WAIF; 017, UNCLE <F.TII. 

all there is to it. Say, what did you c >me here lory 

Jeff. I am here to make a trade, if possible. (Taggs imitates 
dealing cards) No! (laughing) that's all passed, Taggs, I've quit 
that. 

Taggs. And who are ye goin' ter trade with? 

Jeff I wish to purchase your uncle's farm, Mulberry Flats. 

Taggs. What do you want with a farm, Jeii? Snmethin' 
crooked thare, you are goin' ter cheat my Uncle Seth outen ii. 

Jeff. No, Taggs, I have broke away from that old life. I have 
resolved to be a gentleman — not the gentleman Jeff you knew of 
the old days-- 

Taggs. Say, Jeff, when I was a mascot fer you, we used to play 
'em outen sight, didn't we? 

Jeff. Yes, they were exciting times, but they are past, gone 
with the old life. I shall see your uncle and buy his farm, if he 
will sell, and I will pay him far more than the worth of the place 
too. I shall see him in the parlor of the Grand View, soon — 'twill 
be better for both of yon, for him to sell. [going l., 1 e. 

Taggs. Dat sounds mighty nice, but on de dead square, I be- 
lieves yer a liar. So long Jeffey, old boy. (exit, R., 1 e., singing) 
"Kizzle dazzle, boom tarara, I whistle and wait fer Katie." 

SCENE IV.— Parlor of the Grand, View, full depth, set as 
elaborate as possible — table r. with lighted lamp, chairs, etc., 
door c. — Helene discovered at table, dusting, dressed as cham- 

] bermaid. 

Helene. Alas! how disgustingthis work has become to me. A 
few years ago, I would have laughed at the mere mention of me 
becoming a servant, but now that is all changed, and I am glad to 
be allowed to work in the Grand View, for a mere pitance. Ah! 
poverty — poverty, what a blight — whac a curse is that word — 
what a delusion is life — one day we may be bright and happy, 
diessed in velvet and silks, the next, dressed in rags, perhaps 
begging our bread. My friends of the old days do not recognize 
me, even the dogs look nt me. What a chasm between poverty 
and wealth that can never be bridged over, until the end, then we 
lay side by side, all men equal — no fine velvets or poor calicoes — 
only six feet of earth. O! why did I ever come back here to the 
scenes of my childhood? All is changed, old friends are gone, 
my father as unforgiving as ever, and my place in his heart filled 
by another. I can see myself now as a child, happy all the day, 
at, night kneeling by my mother's knee reading the Bible, or listen- 
ing to that old song, (pause — orchestra plays "Rock of Ages" vera 
sojtly) O! what memories crowd my mind, memories Avhich I 
thought were dead. Again I see myselt on my wedding day, a. 
wife. O! God, help me — the unloved wife of a gambler, a mur- 
derer — taunted — despised — jeered at — deserted by all — no one to 
befriend me, no one to pity me, even my father deserts me for 
another. 

Jeff, (without c.) Very well then, when she comes, request 
her to come to the parlor. 

Enter, Jeff, c. v., comes down— pauses and looks at Helene, whose 
back is toward him. 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETH. 25 

Ahem! (Helene turns to face him) So it seems we meet again! 
iNot content with playing the spy and traitor until you ruined me, 
you see fit to dog my footsteps ;rnl follow me where ever I go. 
Take care — I give you warning — if you persist in following your 
course, by heaven's I'll kill you, a< [ killed your lover years a o. 

Ilelene. You judge ma wrong — hear me Jeff — as God is my 
judge, I was true to you. Cliftord Vance was not my lover. 

Jeff. Not your lover ? 

Ilelene. No ! my brother — he was a criminal, I tried to help 
him out of the country. 

Jeff. A lie! I listened to your false tongue till you ruined me, 
that is enough, I believe you no longer— lie was your lover — I had 
the proof, saw you in his arms, bur, he escaped me then, but on 
the Saucy Bell, I caught him cheating at cards, and'I drove the 
knife to his heart, and with pleasure, watched his death. 1 only 
regretted that he hadn't more lives, so ihat I could have taken 
them. I killed him, I made a mistake — curse you, I should have 
killed you. 

Helene. Mercy ! 

Jeff. Mercv? Aye! the mercy I would show the snake after 
it has bitten me. Mercv! what mercy did you show to me, when 
you led that cursed Yankee hoard down upon the Saucy Beije? 
You pointed her out, watched them touch the torch to her, saw 
the bosom of the old Mississippi clr-se over her, and then ask me 
for mercy ! 

Helene. 'Tis false, Jeff. 1 knew nothing of the burning of the 
Saucy Belle, until the next day. 1 neither saw nor spoke to the 
soldiers at any time. 

Jeff. Aiie! an infernal lie ! When Sherman, at the head of hi-; 
band of cut-throats, cried, "On to Richmond," you played the spv, 
you took them to my plantation, and in their path, they left noth- 
ing but devastation and ruin. I've cursed the day when first I 
saw you, for you with your cursed northern principles and your 
false tongue, have ruined me body and soul, and you ask fo.- 
mercy. 

Helene. As there is a God above me, you judge me wrong. I 
never did you harm, Jeff. I loved you too well, I loved you the 
day we met — God pity me, I love you now. I was a true wife to 
you then, and if you'd let me, would be now. I did you no wrong. 
We were hippy before enemy's poured false stories in your ears, 
which you believed— I am your wife and I am innocent of them 
all. 

Jeff. 'Tis true, you bear my name. You married to better 
your position — so did I — we have both failed — but Helene, you 
are in my way here, you mar my plans — will you do what I ask? 

Helene. If itisrignt, Jell"? 

Jeff. I only ask you to leave here, to go to my plantation, stay 
there in obsi-urity, and lorjrive and forget. 

Helene. To forgive you i-> easy, I do forgive you with all my 
heart, but to forget — Oh! Jeff, the wound of the sword will heai, 
but those of the tongue— never ! 

Jeff. Will you go? {soft music till curtain 

Helene. Will you come to me, Jell? 

Jeff. I may, I make no promises. 

Helene. And will you love me, Jell? 



26 TAG (}S, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETH, 

Jeff. Love you? No! that time is passed. 'Tis out of rity 
that I offer yon this asylum. Go there, and stay all the rest of 
your days in your shame. 

Helene. Xo! no! don't say that word, Jeff. What have I to 
be ashamed of? Poverty is no sin — don't say shame, an I not 
your lawful wife? 

Jeff. Since you force me to tell you, I will. The Padra who 
performed the marriage ceremony for us, was no more a Padra than 

Helene. A lie! Jeff, a lie! 

Jeff. The truth as there's a God above me, you are no more a 
wife to-day, than you was before we ever met. Once more, will 
you £0? 

Helene. \>tiggers to c.) O! God, deceived, disgraced, dis- 
honored. 

(faints and falls prostrate c. — Jeff retreats and looks on smiling 

CURTAIN. 



ACT in. 

SCENE. — Same as Act. 2nd., scene 4th., except that Helene is on 
pedestal l , posinj as the statue of Science — clock on wall, R. 

Seth. (without c.) Come on Taggs! come on, this is the way 
and here's the very door. This here is the place he said fer us ter 
come. Come on Taggs, er we'll be late fer the meetin'. 

Enter, Seth and Taggs, c. t>. — they come down. 

Purty fine, eh, Taggs? 

Taggs. [looking around) You bet yer neck! My! I should 
kerslobber to ejaculate that it was clean clar outen sight, by a big 
nlnriality and more country's to hear from. 

Seth. It's far too fine fur such as we'ns, Tagajs. 

Tangs. That's about the size of it, Uncle Seth, My! I wish I 
had a clothes brush. 

Seth. What fur, Taggs? 

Taggs. Wanter brush my dress so I can set down. Wli y, Uncle 
Si-th, that's vehefc on them chairs. I guess them's jist ter look at 
though, (sees statue) Well, that beats me ! I cash out — no \\>t>, 
\er run a bluff on dat— I'll stand de beer to the feller who tells me 
what dat is. 

Seth. (up to statue) That is a — er — I should say from the looks 
of it, that it is a — piece of stone that's been a — er — seems as if it 
was a — er — one of them — I don't know what. 

Taggs. Jist what I thought all along. 

Seth. It's too fine fer we'ns here, Taggs. 

Taggs. Yep! (touches Helene) My! cold as a stone. 

Seth. She is a stone, Taggs. (looking up) That's what she's 
made of. 

Helene. (aside) My father! (startled) What ha* brought 
him here? O! would that 1 were stone— how can I stand the test 
that I'm about to be put too? 

Taggs. (looking at Helene) O! you stony hearted thing, why 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETII. 27 

don't you make a kick fer a fire. I would if I was as cold as you 
— what time is it, Uncle Seth ? 

Seth. (look s at watch) Jist six, that's the time we waster 
come. 

Taggs. Six? [points to clock) Yer ten minutes fast, Uncle 
Seth. 

Seth. Fast? No sir! Taggs, if 1 was ergoin' ter be hung, and 
they was er watchin' the time by that watch — when the time 
come around and that old watch said the hour, I'd never say she 
was a second too fast, I'd be ready. That's what I think of that 
watch. Too fast? No sir! 

Taggs. Then, if that's the case, I'll jist set er up, Uncle Seth 

(crosses and turns clock to six 

Enter, Bell Boy, k., 1 e., sees her move clock — Taggs returns to 
statue, and boy turns clock back and exit, R.,*l e. 

What was yer a lookin' at, Uncle Seth? 

Seth. I was er lookin' at that thare rock woman — 'pears to me 
Taggs, that I knowed somebody, er seen somebody what looks 
like her sometime or other. 

Helene. (aside) Will he recognize me? O! I pray heaven 
that he may not, while this black cloud hovers over m ■• I pray 
that no one may know me. 

Taggs. Do you know what I'd do wid her, if I had 'er Uncle 
Seth ? 

Seth. What, Taggs? 

Taggs. Why! I'd work er up inter marblesand play keeps wid 
de boys. Well, Uncle Seth, dat clock's been wound backwards — 
any how she's runnin' backwards — what time is it? 

Seth. (looking at w ate n) Jist two minutes afjer six, Taggs. \ 

Taggs. Do you still think yer right, Uncle Seth? 

Seth. I know it, Taggs, I know it. 

Taggs. Then I'll set er up again. 

(goes to clock as before, Bell Boy as before , 

Seth. (at statue) I ort ter know 'er, but I guess I don't. 

Taggs. My! I wish them people would come. I'm gettiu' tired 
a waitin'. (crosses to Seth 

Seth. Mustn't git impatie.it. Taggs, it's always the privilege 
of the rich ter keep the poor a waitin' fer 'em. 

Taggs. Well, I'm gettin' tired any how. 

Seth. Come and look at the rock woman, Taggs. 

Taggs. O ! I don't wanter, I seen 'er once. 

Seth. Then look at the furniture. 

Taggs. I've seen that too, Uncle Seth. 

Seth. Well then, see what time 'tis. 

Taggs. Have twice, clock's a runnin'ibackwards 

Seth. Then I don't know anything else. 

Taggs. Believe I'll dance a can can. 

Seth. Don't ye do it, Taggs, don't ye do it. 

Taggs. Then I know- what I'll do, I'll sing a song. 

Seth. That's right, Taggs, sing fer yer Uncle Seth. 

Taggs. What will I sing ? 

Seth. Sing "Sweet Bye and Bye, 1 ' Taggs 

Taggs. That's a chestnut. 

Seth. But it's a mighty good song, Taggs. 



2S TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 

Taggs. I'll jist let 'er go at that any way. (sings chorus oj 
"Sweet Bye and Bye") What time is i", Uncle Sethi 1 
Seth. Five minutes after six, Taggs. 
Taggs. Reckon yer right, Uncle Seth ? 
Seth-, I know it Taggs, I know it. 
Taggs. Then I'll set' 'er up ag'in, Uncle Seth. 

(crosses and turns clock to 6:05 

Enter, Bell Boy, r., 1 e., looks at Taggs, then pulls hands off of 
clock, puts same in pocket and exit, r., 1 k. 

Did you notice his nerve, Uncle Seth? He don't work me like 
that, (goes and marks hands on clock with black crayon, 6:05. 

Seth. Here they come, Taggs. (Taggs runs to Seth 

Enter, Jeff, c. d. 

Jtff. Ah I Mr. Mulberry, delighted to see you. (shaking hands) 
You are prompt to keep an appointment. Sorry I have kept you 
waiting. 

Enter, Bijou, c. d. 

Bijou. Mr. Mulberry — (bowing) and here's my little friend 
Ta^o-s. (goes to her) You don't know how fond 1 have grown o 
voti; (arm around Taggs) I never saw a child before that at- 
tracted me so. 

Taggs. (aside) Child! rats, talk about nerve. (Bijou kisses 
Taggs— Taggs jumping away) Don't you do that ag'in. 

Bijou. Why, Taggs? 

Taggs. Been eat in' onions, that's why. 

Jeff. Now Mr. Mulberry, no doubt you are very curious as to 
why 1 asked you to meet me here in the Grand View thiseveninsr. 
The other day, I told you 1 greatly desired to call*Mulberry Fiats 
my own, and if you ever wished to sell the place, to give me the 
hrst refusal of it. Now I've asked you here this evening to see if 
you will not sign this contract to that effect. 

Helene. (aside) Trickery! 

Seth. Well I might, and then ag'in I mightn't. Ain't no 
lightnin' rod scheme is it, Mister? 

"jeff. Not at all, 1 merely wish you to sign this paper, that if 
you ever wish to sell your farm, you are to give me the first bid 
upon it — to show you that I mean fair. I agree to give you $200 tor 
the first refusal— if you never wish to sell, then I loose $200— that's 
my risk, but when you do want to part with your farm, you must 
communicate with me, get my ofter on it. If I do not offer you 
as much or more than any one else, then you have the right to 
refuse my offer, keep the $200 and sell to the one who offers more. 

Seth. 'That seems fair enough, eh ! Taggs? 

Taggs. Better sign 'er, Uncle Seth, and get the $200. 

Jeff. This way, Mr. Mulberry, you can write on this table. 
Miss Darrington shall be our witness. 'Jubilant 

Helene. (aloud) Fraud I 

Jeff, (quickly to Buou) Did you speak? 

Bijou, (aside to Jeff) Not 1 ! don't get nervous. 

Seth. Give me yer paper. 

Jeff. Certainly— (hands paper) here to the table, Mr. Mulberry. 



JAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETH. 29 

Seth. I want no table, (hand on TaGG's head) Here's my 
table — it shall be innocence beneath this paper (Taggs kneels) ami 
a just God ter witness it from above, and if there's evil in it, may 
it burn the hands of those who wrought it. 

Helene. (loud) Right! 

Taggs. Scat! where's that cat? 

Bijou, (to Jeff) Did you speak? 

Jeff. Not I. (to Seth) Sign, Mr. Mulberry. 

&eth. Don't move. 

Seth about to sign — Jeff and Bijou back of Seth and Taggs, 

shaking hands. 

Jlelene. (loud) Don't! 

(Jeff and Bijou jerk hands apart, look around 

Taggs. Scat ! 

Seth. Don't you bob, Taggs. 

(about to sign, Jeff and Bijou shake hands as before 

Helene. (loud) Don't! 

(Jeff and Bijou jerk hands apart as before 

Taggs. (looking around) Seat! where's that cat? 

Seth. Don't you bob, Taggs. (business as before 

Helene. (loud) Don't! (Jeff and Bijou as before 

Taggs. (as before) Scat! kill that cat. 

Seth. Three times I've heard that, 'tis a warning from above, 
I won't. (drops paper — Taggs rises, paper in hand 

Helene. (loud) Right! (quick till curtain 

Jeff. What's that! Who dared to speak? Come forth coward, 
show yourself — who dared to give that warning. 

Helene. (throwing drapery from her) 'Twas I! your wife, 
Helene Dupree. (Taggs teirs up contract 

Seth. Helene! (arms out-stretched to her 

Helene. Father! (arms out-stretche I to hi n 

Taggs stamping on torn contract and laughing — Bijou runs between 
Helene and Seth — Jeff r., 1 e., beaten. 

CURTAIN. 



ACT IV. 

SCENE. — Kitchen in Uxcle Seth's house, table l., chairs to same 
— Seth discovered at table, — chorus off R., "Old Kentuckey 
Home," very soft and repeat. 

Seth. Alas! poor Kentucky Home— poor devastated South. 
Ah! what memories are recalled by the soun 1 ofth t old song. 
I see myself as a boy, rutin. ngover the woods and hills asfree ami 
wild as a bird. Ah! those were happy days, with no cloud to 
cross my sun — wh it a change for me— again I see myself with my 
children at my knee, see them as happy as I at their time of life. 
Alas! another change, I see my boy going bad, see him a criminal, 
fleeing from justice, at las: dying the death of an out cast — then I 
placed all my hopes on Helene. Ah ! how those fond hopes were 
misplaced, for she too is led off by the tempter, by a devil in hu- 



SO TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETh. 

man form— if time could but stand still— 

Enter, Taggs, l,, 3 e., on a run, laughing. 

Taggs. O! Unc'e Seth, you jist orter seen me climbing a tree. 
\pause) Why! what's the matter, Uncle Seth? (going to him 

Seth. Well Taggs, I guess the old man's got the blues ag'in. 

Taggs. Chills and fever symptoms, Uncle Seth? Ye mustn't 
do it. 

Seth. But I can't help it, Taggs, everything seems dark to-day, 
even the wind makes the old apple tree moan and sigh dismally. 

Taggs. Well, if you was as full of green apples as that apple 
tree is, I expect you'd moan and sigh too, Uncle Seth. 

Seth. 1 was a thinkin' of the old days, Tagss, before the cruel 
war wrecked the South, before the cotton fields were dyed red 
with the life blood of the soldiers of both sides. Them was tryin' 
times, Taggs. It's well ye wasn't here to see the sicknin' sight, 
it makes me faint to think of it — there was a great battle fought 
here. (Taggs kneeling side of him, his arm around her, her hand 
on his shoulder) Fer days and days, I seen the soldiers marchin', 
marchin', first the Blues and then the Greys, then the Blues, then 
the Greys, right in front of that door — finally one mornin' I heard 
the boom of a mortar and then the scream of a shell, as it went 
over on it's mission of death, then I knowed that the great battle 
had come, that the two sides had clashed together, that many a 
li e would pay for that day's work. Ah! Taggs, ye can't know 
what a scene that was; I pray heaven that ye never may. Men 
were blood mad, fighting like tigers — is it any wonder that brother 
fought brother? I sat here in this room and heard the rattle of 
i he musketry, the boom of the cannons and the screaming of the 
shells, and i prayed to the God of battles to lend us aid, (rising, 
Taggs remains) and in my agony, I walked the floor and cried. 
[walking floor) O ! our poor South, poor devastated country, what 
will become of you — (seated as before) to-day you see the South a 
wreck. 

Taggs. That's past, don't talk about that, Uncle Seth. 

Seth. No, I won't Taggs, I won't, I'll talk of something else. 
1 want to tell you something about myself. Once I said I'd te? 
you all about that paper — 

Taggs. What I give you down ter Mike Doud's? 

Seth. Yes, ye asked me once if I had anj T — 

Taggs. Kids like me? 

Seth. Yes, Taggs, I'll tell you all about it, 'Twas long ago- 
first my boy went bad and died the death of a criminal, then my 
girl Helene, she was tempted, and like many another one she fell. 
A serpent in the guise of a man, came to my house, with false 
words of love, he won her heart — she was innocent then, God 
pity her, she is guilty now — he lured her from home, and then he 
deserted her. He has blasted my life, as he has ruined her's. 
You've seen them both, Taggs, one of them you know. 

Taggs. (.rising) Uncle Seth ! 

Seth. Aye! 'tis so — do you want the names? 

Taggs. Tell me — yes— (up to him 

Seth. One of them was the girl at tli3 Grand View, who gavt 
the warning. 

Taggs, And the other, Uncle Seth, the other? 

Seth. Your friend, Jeff Dupree. 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETII. SI 

Taggs. (starting to c.) Gentleman Jeff— no! not my friend; 
if he wronged you, he's my enemy. 

Seth. Spoken like my own true hearted Taggs. (she runs into 
his arms) Your enemy and mine for life. Thare, Taggs, I didn't 
want to tell ye this, but 'tis best you should know. Now 'tis all 
over and we'll be our same old selves ag'in. I'll go an 1 see if the 
mail man's a comin'. 

Taggs. O! I forgot, when I came in, Uncle Seth, I saw the 
mail man, an 1 he said there was only one letter fer this office to- 
dav, and he ji<t give it ter me, here 'tis. (hands letter 

Seth. Only one! Mail business is fallin' off— why ! Taggs, 
this is fer me, got a government stamp on it. 
1'aggs. Break 'er open, Uncle Seth. 
Setn. Thare must be some mist ike. 
Taags. Break 'er open, Uncle Seth, break 'er open. 
Seth. (reads aloud) "Seth Mulberry, P. M., Esq." 

(looks at Taggs 
Taggs. Break 'er open, Uncle Seth. 

Seth. (reads) "Mulberry Flats, Miss, G. B," (looksatTAGis 
Taggs. G. B. ? Grand Bounce, no — goodbye, no — goo I boy, 
no — girl baby, no — government business, that's it, break 'er op n, 
Uncle Seth, break 'er open. (Seth opens letter and reads vera 
sloto, after reading he jumps up, letter in one hand', hat in the otner, 
laughing and dancing — Taggs puzzled ) What is it, Uncle Sjth, 
what's the matter? 

Seth. Why you see — (laughs) listen while I read 'er fer you — 
here, wipe my spec's, Taggs. (she does so) Somehow the letters 
"won't stand still. 

Taggs. Why, no wonder you can't read, your eyes are full of 
tears. 

Seth. No, they ain't. 
Taggs. Yes, they are — you are cryin'. 
Seth. No, I ain't! 
Taggs. Yes, you are ! 
Seth. No, I ain't, that's the way I laugh. 
Taggs. Yes, you are! (she wipes his eyes 

Seth. Darnel, if I don't believe I was er cryin', Taggs. 
Taggs. Course ye was. 

Seth. The old man's a leetle off, Taggs, a leetle off. Now li-ten, 
while I read, (reads) "Washington, D. C." 
Taggs. D. C. ? O! ye-, dollar catchers! goon! 
Seth. "Dear Sir: We understand you are the owner of Mul- 
berry Flats, where the great battle was fought, during the late war. 
The government has voted to purchase your farm, for the purpose 
of turning it into a National park, and have voted you $5,000 for 
it, you to remain there as keeper, at a salery of $800 per annum. 
We enclose you check of ?500 as one payment, and to defray ex- 
penses of your coming here, to arrange" — (aloud) What do ye 
think o' that, Taggs— have ye got a kiss fer yer Uncle Seth ? 

Taggs. Five thousand dollai s, you bet yerjneck I have ! (kisses 
him) They are three fer a quarter, Uncle Seth. (kittenish 

Seth. Never you mind, after this we'll kiss every hour of the 
day, and I'll pay a quarter a piece fer 'em. 

Taggs. Bully ! fer Uncle Seth, I'll be a million air in less than 
a year. O ! I'm so glad, I could jist bust -now I can have a pink 
dress with a tail to it, can't I? 



32 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SETII. 

Seth. Eh ? 

Taggs. Why, one of them businesses you know. 

(imitates dress en train 

Seth. Ah! Taggs, fine feather-; don't make line birds. 

Taggs. I know it, Unc'e Seth. but I ain't in the bird business. 
I can have it, can't I? I'm goin' ter tell Rildy about it now. 

{going R., 1 e., imitating dress en train 

Seth. Ah ! Taggs, ye are the light o' my life. 

Taggs. Yes, Uncle Seth, I guess I'm your little incandescent. 

(going r., 1 e. 

Setlr You think a good deal of yer Uncle S^th, now don't you 
Taggs ? 

Taggs. {coming to Seth) Yes, Uncle Seth, I guess I loves you 
better'n any body else in the whole wide world. 

Seth. I knowed ye did, Taggs, only I wanted ter hear you say 
it. I knowed yer loved yer Uncle Seth, if he is old and — and— 
and — 

Taggs. Moss backey ? 

Seth. That's it, only I couldn't think of the word. 

Taggs. Yes bet yer neck, Uncle Seth, I think you are a high 
roller. 

Seth. Taggs! Taggs! 

Taggs. O! I forgot, I mean you'r my Uncle Seth. 
(running R., 1 e., laughing and looking back at Seth, runs into Jeff 

Enter, Jeff, r., 1 e., jumping back, startled. 

Hello ! Jeifey, old boy, come and play a stock of reds with me. 

(exit, R., 1 e. 

Jeff. I can stand this no longer — that child — that beggar never 
let's an opportunity escape her of throwing in my face a remem- 
brance of my past life. I must hasten with my work, secure his 
signature to that paper, and leave here for a time, then return and 
drive them forth and claim as my own, Mulberry Flats, (aloud) 
Your pardon, Mr. Mulberry, for my seeming intrusion this morn- 
ino-. I have come to apologize to you for that little affair of last 
evening and to explain to you the reason of the disturbance. I 
have neglected to speak to you before, but my sister, who is stop- 
ping at the Grand View, is hopelessly insane, became so at the 
death of her father. Instead of her brother, she believes me to be 
her husband, and every old person she sees, she calls father, as 
you observed last evening. I trust yon will over look the distur- 
bance. I am here to have you sign the contract of last evening — 
see 1 have prepared a new one to take the place of the one which 
was accidentally detroyed last night. 

Seth. Accidentally ? 

Jeff. Yes, accidentally. The young lady, Miss Taggs, in her 
alarm, last evening, at discovering herself in the presence of a 
maniac, evidently became so frightened and nervous, that she 
destroyed that paper, quite unconscious of what she was doing — 
consequently this morning, I offer you a new one. 

Seth. (rising) Jeff Dupree— 

Jeff, (aside) That name! (soft music till curtain 

Seth. Ye come here this morning, as of old, burdened with a 
pack of lies — 

Jeff. Old man — 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. tb 

Seth. Silence ! I listened to you, uow hear me. You come to 
me with a story, like a cloud of dust in summer time — 'twill settle, 
but do no harm. Not content with robbing me of my child, of all 
I held dear, and dragging her down to the level of your associate-. 
Not content with lureing her from home with false words of love, 
with false promises of happiness: not content with blighting her 
life, ye now seek to ruin mine. Now, that the girl is here, at the 
Grand View, a servant, ye seek to blind me, to make me think she 
is your sister. A maniac! a maniac! Aye! and well she may be, 
poor child, she has suffered enough. She left her home, innocent, 
for love of you, she fled with you— for what? Desertion, con- 
tempt, now 'tis the maniac sister— with what new lie will ye come 
to me next? 

Jeff. By heavens ! old man, I'll stand your insults no longer— 
this morning I come to you — 

Seth. With a lie. 

Jeff. As you will ! I come this morning, to ask yon, will you 
sign that paper — will you except my offer? 

Seth. Will ye acknowledge to the world, that my girl, Helene, 
is your wife? 

Je(F. By heaven ! no ! that can never b • ! 

Seth. Then hear my answer, no! Take, your paper, go, seek 
to ruin more homes, to blight more lives — paltroon that you are. I 
know ye now, could kill ye where ye are — the sight of your false 
face drives me mad. Ye ruined the child, now you seek to rob 
the father. 

Jeff. Rob! who dares to say that I am not honorable in my 
offer to you. that I attempt anything that is not honest with you. 
Who dares to accuse Jeff Dupree of theft? Speak old man, before 
I strangle you — who dares? 

Seth. 1 ! Old Seth Mulberry ! read! (hands letter 

Jeff, (reads — aside) Beaten! Curse those fool government 
clerks, why could they not have waited. 

Seth. What have ye to say now? 

Jeff. This! though you are an old man — though I have failed 
in my plans — though your daughter is to-day an out-cast; I regret 
nothing that I have done. If it were to do over, I would do the 
same. Your daughter, curse her, has ruined me. When first I 
saw her I was rich, to-day I am a beggar, to the world I shall tell 
her story, and to-day 1 shall tell it to you as I told her yesterday ; 
she is no more a wife to-day then she was the day I first saw her. 
What she is now, what she may yet become, I leave you to think 
out for yourself, old man. 

Seth. Go ! and to the world I shill tell your story, not only as 
a coward and paltroon, who mocks at a woman's love, who despises 
a woman's heart, but as a thief and a murderer. 

Jeff. Stop ! or as there's a God above me— 

(raises hand to strike 

Seth. You, call on Ilim who is above? 

Jeff. You dare repeat those words of a moment ago, and by 
heaven, I'll kill you where you stand. 

Enter, Taggs, r. , 1 h., on a run, rearing dress en train, 

Taggs. Jeff Dupree! (running between them) Don't you dare 



84 TAGGS, THE WAIF; 017, UNCLE SETII. 

touch him ! 
Jeff. Don't dare? And why, yoa pauper? 
Taggs. 'Co?' he'srjqy (throwing arms around Setii) Uncle Seth! 

CUBTA1N. 



ACT V. 

SCENE I. — A street or woods in 1st. or 2nd. grooves —lights down. 
Enter, Jeff, l., 1 e., followed by Bijou. 

Jeff. Yes, Bijou, we are beaten, those infernal government 
clerks have written him that he is to receive $5,000. for his farm- 
he has received the letter, and of course will except their offer. 
That fixes us, all we have to do, is to leave here, and the sooner 
the better. 

Bijou. But my 250 pounds I was to receive? 

Jeff. That? Well, that has faded from your sight and your 
reach, as quickly as it sprang up. 

Bijou. But Monsieur, you have deceived me, you have taken 
my time — 

Jeff. That's valuable. {laughs 

Bijou. And now you calmly tell me, I shall get nothing. 'Tis 
fraud, Monsieur — I want money — I have worked for you. 

Jeff. And I have payed you for it. 

Bijou. Five pounds, $25, a princely sum, truly. Yes, you gave 
me five pounds, I in turn gave it to the grasping landlord of the 
Grand View. Monsieur, to-day I am penniless, have not a sou. 

Jeff. You are very little better off than J, Bijou. 

Bijou. But Monsieur, I listened to you, stayed here to work for 
you, when I might have gone on, might have done better, might 
have been one of the money Queen's by this time. 

Jeff. Yes, and you might be sleeping in the woods, with the 
clouds for a quilt, too. I picked you up and installed you in the 
Grand View; at that time, as well as now, you had not a franc. 
You seem to think you were hired by me. Try and remember 
that we were partners, Bijou. I advanced you money, and now 
you owe me $25 — 'tis true you want money, so do I. if this plan 
had not failed, we would both have reached our goal. I told you 
when we met here, that I was almost a beggar. To-day I am 
worse off than ever, with the prospects of the old life staring me 
in the face. We have failed miserably here, but one thing is left 
us. that is to leave— 

Bijou. To leave? How? Where? 

Jeff. Luckily L have a few dollars left, enough to take us away 
from here — I care not where— to-night we will catch the midnight 
express. 

Bijou. To-night? So soon— why Monsieur, 'tis but four hours 
of that time now, surely you are in a great hurry. Say to-morrow 
or the next day. 

Jeff. That Avould be too late. 'Tis true I am in a hurry, I have 
good cause to be. We leave to-night at midnight. 

Bijou. Not I, Monsieur! 

Jeff. Fool ! I tell you we are found out, our plans are known ; 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SET II. S5 

there is a noose around your neck, around both our neck's— would 
you stay here and strangle? 

Bijou. Monsieur, you are lieing to me, you have money, you 
have succeeded in your plans; Mulberry Flats are yours, and now 
you seek to be rid of me, to client me of the promised reward, to 
be alone, that you may enjoy your ill gotten gains by yourself. 
The trick is worthy of ynu, of the honest Jeff Dupree, but it shall 
notsuctei'd, so surely as Bijou, the Adventuress stands before you, 
I swear you shall never suci eed. Ton don't know me, Jell Dupree, 
if you think to make ihe dupe and the tool of me, as you did of 
that other one. You have money and I'll have my part, or — 

Jeff*. What? {sneering 

Bijou, (distinct) Your life! Ah! you start, and well you 
may, for I hold the power over you. Do you think I'll be the 
fool not to use it? To be as that other one was, let you do as you 
please, believe what you say, do your bidding? No! you don't 
know me, I can be as cruel as — 
t Jeff. A she devil ! 

Bijou, Aye! as a devil. I'll make the fine gentleman Jeff, 
who is so anxinns to be rid of my company, go down at my feet 
and beg me not to exercise my power. I'll send you back to the 
dirt ami squalor of the low tenement house you came from— send 
you to the rock quarries of Tennessee, and with a ball and chain 
for company. 

Jeff, (aside) Dam the woman ! 

Bijou. The day was when you was proud of your title of gen- 
tleman Jeff. To-day I am proud of the title of Bijou the Adven- 
turess, for I'll make you,- coward tnat you are, do my wishes. 1 
I've but to say one word to the authorities, and th3 murder of 
Clifford Vance will be avenged. \ 

Jeff. Fool! you don't know what you siy, bridle that tongue 
of yours, or by heaven, I'll drive this knife through your 
treacherous heart. 

Bijou. No you won't, for you dare not, and besides I can take 
care of myself— see ! (presenting revolver 

Jeff, (aside) Every one turns against me. (aloud) What 
would you have me do? 

Bijou. Pay me what you promised — 

Jeff. I have no money. 

Bijou. Then go! 

Jeff. Go! where? 

Bijou. I care not— to satan. Come, the money, I am waiting, 
be quick, for if you wish to leave on the midnight express, re- 
member 'tis but a short time for you to wait — the money. 

Jeff. I have no money. 

Bijou. A lie ! 

Jeff. The truth. I'll tell you all! We must leave here to- 
night; we are found out and our plans are known; by morning 
'twill be too late. We can do nothing to Mulberry, for he has 
sold to the government — I saw the letter, read it, but that is not 
all. I saw"my wife, Helene, at the Grand View the other day — 
we had a quarrel, in my anger, I told her that we were not mar- 
ried, that she was no wife— 

Bijou. A lie! 

Jeff. Silence! We have no time to spend in quarreling. To 



38 TAGGS, THE WAIF- OB, UNCLE SETH. 

prove that she is legally my wife, she has gone to New Orleans, 
in search of Mike Doud, the witness to the ceremony, and with 
him she'll return to-night on the midnight express, to prow her 
claim. We must be at the station, when they step off, we step on 
— that's my reasons — now here's yours, listen <-nd mar.i t lem 
well. Yon threaten me with the law, while you yourself are 
wanted in France for the theft of your step-mother's jewels, years 
ago, even now the detectives are in Americ: > >i your track. When 
caught, as you surely will be, you know i ■ penalty, the guillo- 
tine awaits you. Bijou DelMaur, I know you, know you well. 
'Tis I who holds the high cards now — will you come with me and 
go free, or will you stay behind and be taken ? 

Bijou. Are you telling me the truth? 

Jeff. Tes! will you go? 

Bijou. There is but one thing for me to do — I must— yes, I'll 
go— I am readj'. {exeunt, r.,1e, 

SCENE II. — Telegraph office at Mulberry Flats, loio railing crosse 3 
stage in 3d. grooves — back of rail, a table at R. c, with instru- 
ments on, chair to table, Operator seated in chair — advertise- 
ments on walls, etc — red and white lanterns lighted, sitting on 
table — instruments buisy. 

Operator, (throioing downpen and rising) Bah! this life is dis" 
o-usting, if naught comes of my stay here, after another week, 1 
shall leave and push farther South. When is this game of "fol- 
low my leader" to end, I wonder? How absurd I would appear 
in the eyes of my old friends of LaBelle, France, should they see 
me, thegentleman of leisure, Alberta Casague, here in this study 
little office, waiting for, I know not what ! Truly a detective's 
lile is changeable, one day we are a gentleman of leisure, the next, 
maybe, a farm laborer; one day a railroad magnet, the next, may 
sie us as a clerk in a dusty little box of an office like th's. 'Tis 
five years since I went in the employ of the Court; five years con- 
tinually on the move, ever on the alert in quest of a woman, and 
with the slightest of clues to aid me — a photograph— (looks at 
photograph in hand) wanted for theft. I've looked at this portrait 
so often, that it has become indeliably impressed upon my mind. 
I would know her among a thousand. For five years I have 
searched for you in vain. I have been around the entire world, 
always to hear that you are ahead of me— a little further — like the 
" Will-o'-the-Wisp," I can never come up to you, but as sure as 
my name is Alberte Casague, I'll run you down yet. 

(seaicd at table 

Seth. (o[?'l.,1e.) Come on, Taggs, this here's the place. 
Here's what we'ns a huntin' fer, we ain't lost the place this time. 
Come on, ye might get run over out thare, come here 'tore ye get 
a leg cut offer somethin'. 

Taggs. (o/Fl., 1 e.) Why, there jun't no cars here ter hurt a 
feller now, Uncle Seth. 

Enter, Seth and Taggs, i.., 1 e. 

Seth. Well, there might be. 
Taggs. And then ergin there mightn't. 

Seth. That's so, Taggs, that's so. (to Operator) Say, Mister, 
is this here the place— 



JAGGS, THE WAIF; Oil, UNCLE SETS. S7 

Taggs. {climbing up railing) What' yer juggle lightnin' over 
the wires? 'Cos if 'tis, this here's the place we a-lookiu' fer, 
ain't it, Uncle Seth? 

Oper. This is the depot of the Great Southern railroad, if that 
is what you are looking for. 

Seth. Well, Mister, I guess that's what we air lookiu' fer, eh! 
Taggs ? 

Tag s. Yer bet yer neck, and we found er too, didn't we Uncle 
Seth. We are a full house, us two, dead game sports. 

(climbing up 

Seth. (pulling hr back) Don't Tag's, don't, ye mustn't do 
that, (she clings to rail) Comedown! (pulling 

Taggs. Don't, Uncle Seth, yer goin' ter spill me right out on 
the floor. 

Seth. Will ye com j down ? (hold of her 

Taggs. Well I might. 

Seth. Yes, and then ergin yer mightn't. 

Taggs. That's so, Uncle Seth, but I wanter talk to the feller in 
the cage! Say, Mister, do you own this railroad? 

Oper. Own it? I merely r 'present the company. 

Taggs. Huh? 

Oper. I am the agent. 

Seth. Mister, kin we wait here fer the train ? 

Ober. Certainly, if you wish, (picks up red and white lanterns, 
comes out of railing and starts i.., 1 e.) Was you going away on 
the train, old man? 

Seth. No ! 

Oper. The girl then? 

Taggs. Naw, where' d I be goin' ? 

Seth. I was er waitin' fer somebody. 

(exit, Operator, t,., 1 e 

Taggs. (looking after him) Auction! auction! auction! 

Seth. Taggs ! Taggs ! 

Tangs. Well 'lis ! t guess I know what a red light's fer, they 
had 'em 'down ter New Orleans, only dey used red flags — that's 
where yer buy yer cheap stuff 1 . Where did that feller go wid de 
auction sign? 

Seth. Went ter see if the train was er eomin'. 

Enter, Operator, l,,1e,, with white lantern only. 
Mister, how long 'lore that thare train from New Orleans comes? 
Oper. She's due here now, 'tis just twelve, she's the mid- 
night express, you know. Sin may be an hour late. 

Enter, Helexe, l., 1 e., sees Seth and retires. 

Helene. (aside) My father and that girl, what can have brought 
them here to-night? 

Oper. You might have a long wait of it, if you stay for the 
midnight express to-night. 

Seth. And then ag'in I mightn't, fer she may come soon. 

Oper. True, but she will be in luck, if she get's 1 ere by 1 o'clock 
to-night. (enters office and sits at instrument 

Taggs. There's somebody standin' there at that door., (points 
%., 1e.) Uncle Seth, and I'm goin' to see who 'tis, (rises and 
crosses to l., 1 p., stumbles over dress and falls c.) Eats! I o-ue^s 



?>s 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH. 



that dress don't fit me. {rising 

Seth. Ah! Taggs, fine feathers don't make tine bird?. Such 
dres?es is fer the fine ladies, not such as we'n^. 

Taggs. That's about the s'ze of it, I guess. 

Oper. (aside) What's that? Gone down through— my GoJ, 
that is terrible, (aloud) Old man, had you friends on that train ? 

Seth. Friends? Man, my daughter— that train — what is it — 
what's happened? 

Oper. God pity you old man — God pity all who were on that 
ill lated train — she's gone through the Black Hollow trestle. 

Seth. O! Helene ! Helene, to find you, only to loose you. 

Enter, Helene, l., 1 e., quickly. 

Helene. No! Thank GoJ that I changed my mind — instead ot 
going to New Orleans, I wrote to one who could prove my inno- 
cence. I was expecting an answer to my message, on that train. 
My errand here as elsewhere, will prove fruit ess. Justice will 
never be done. I have made my last effert, now I go — 

Seth. Don't — don't go — Helene — 

He'ene. (turning) What! father, did you say~ that — do you — 
do you want — want me to — 

Taggs. Want you ? You bet yer neck he wants you. 

(Seth opens his arms to Helene, she runs to him 

Taggs. They've cuddled ! (hugs herself 

Helene. Father, you forgive- - 

Seth. Aye ! and together we'll forget. 

Enter, Jeff and Bijou, l., 1 e., quickly. 

Jeff. Agent — here— two tickets for Nashville. Quick, man' 
the train is over due now. 

Oper. There will be no midnight express to-night, for she lies 
at the bottom of Black Hollow, a mass of ruins, with her human 
cargo beneath her. 

Bijou, (to Jeff) Then we are ruined ! 

(Taggs up to Jeff, close 

Jeff. No! quick — back to the hotel, we will procure a carriage 

Taggs. Here! who yer tryin' ter run over? Keep oft' the 
grass. 

Oper. Lr'sten ! (listeninj to instrument) Sixty lives are lost — 
but few names are known — among them is Mike Doud — 

Helene. Mike Doud! my last hope gone. 

Jeff. Mike Doud, dead ! At last I'm free once more. 

Seth. Aye! to recognize your wife. 

(Seth leading Helene in front of Jeff 

Jeff\ Out of my way, old man, I don't wish to bandy words 
with you. Stand aside, or, I'll strike you to my feet. 

Taggs. "Well, I don't think! I'm doiu' his fightin' now, so if 
yer wanter scrap, jist put up yer dukes and shy yer castor. 

(front of Jeff, pugalistic altitude 

Bijou. You? "What are you? You pauper! 

Taggs. I'm a red hot Jackson democrat— me and Unc'e Seth 
are — Saba ? 

Jeff. Old man, if I must tell you again— listen! do you think 
that I will acknowledge to the world, that woman as my wile? 
No! 1 told you before, she was not my wife. There was but on© 



TAGGS, THE WAIF; OR, UNCLE SET II. SO 

person who could deny that ; lie held her certificate, and he is dead ; 
the certificate has long since been destroyed, her last plan has 
tailed. What more can yon hope for? 

Set'i. {paper in hand) This! her marriage certificate — 

Helene. (kneeling to Set h) Fa her! 

Seth. Signed and registered by the clerk— 

Taggs. And I found 'er and give 'er to him; Jeffey, old boy. 

Jeff. 'Tis useless, tor it was a false priest who — 

Seth. According to the laws of Lousiana, no priest or no cere- 
mony is required. She's yer lawful wife, and ye dare not deny 
it. 

Bijou. Peace, you old fool— 

Seth. Silence ! 

Taggs. Yes, quit chewing de rag. 

Seth. (to Buou) To you of the' foreign tongue, with your 
fine clothes and silky maun >rs — go ! with yer questionable charac- 
ter — with yer — 

Jeff. Stop! old man, don't dare to repeat those word =, or by 
heaven, I'll kill you where you stand. 

Seth. I dare do anything! [do repeat! what she is now, what 
she may yet become— as she sinks lower and lower — 

Bijou quickly draws revolver and aims at Seth — Taggs, who has 
been watching her, suddenly sprints between Seth and Buou, 
as she slioots, Taggs throws up anas and falls c, prostrate — 
other's horrified — bETH holds her in his arms. 

Jeff, (to Buou) Fool! you have ruined all ! 

Oper. (leaping over rail) At last my search is ended. Madam 
DelMaur, in the name of the law of the French government, you 
are my prisoner — I arrest you for the theft of your step-mother's 
jewels. 

Bijou. Alberte Casague, the French detective! 

Oper. At your service, Madam ! For live years you have led 
me a long chase, but at last 'tis ended. I have now but to follow 
the instructions of the Count — your father — 'tis this — (handing her 
a dagger) 'tis all the sympathy he is disposed to show. 

Bijou. Suicide ? (examining daggei 

Oper. Yes, Madam ! suicide or the guillotine — choose. 

Bijou. 'Tis a sharp medicine. Monsieur! 

Jeff. But it will cure the disease. 

Oper. Silence sir! For you, I have this to say — (Buou at- 
tempts to stab Operator in back, Helene sees her and strikes her 
arm. she drops dagger — Operator looks around — to Helene) 
Madam, I thank you. (to Buou) I advise you not to attempt 
that again, (hands her the dagger) Choose now and choose 
quickly ! 

Bijou, (aside) 'Tis the dee 1 of a coward. (very slow 

Oper. Your answer — lam waiting! 

Bijou. You want my answer? Then take it. (throws dagger 
away from her) 'Tis no ! I am ready to answer for my crimes. 
'Take me back to France, back to my proud father — do with me as 
yon will — I am ready for the guillotine. 

Oper. As you will, 'tis all I have to offer! (to Jeff) Sir! I 
leave you to the American authorities and a just God. May they 
deal with and judge you justly, and impose upon you the pun- 



40 TAGGS, THE WAIF; OB, UNCLE SETH 

ishment you so richly deserve. Go! but remember there is a 
noose around your neck, have a care that you do not step from 
the straight path and draw that noose taut. 

Jeff. And to you, sir! I say — go back to your sunny France, 
to your gay Paris, to your fashionable world. Take your prisoner 
there, show her all, lead her to the b'ock, watch her head roll in 
the saw dust, then sny, "Justice at last, you are avenged." Go! 
leave free born America and think yourself lucky, if you escape 
the dagger or knife thrust — 

Oper. Of a free born American. Assassin! Go? (exit, Jeff, 
l., 1 e., sullen) But first, (Jeff turns) that knife, Monsieur, I 
want it, give it to me — (pause) give it to me. (Jeff hands knife, 
Operator points l., 1 e., Jeff leaves very sullen) Now Madam, 
we must move, there is no need of an operator here the rest of this 
night. Shall 1 use the bracelets? 

Bijou. As you please. 

Oper. Then I shall trust you, but no tricks, mind you— now 
then, forward. (he wheels Buou around to L., 1 e. , exit, 

Helene. Father, they have gone! 

Seth. Yes, and she has gone, {rising) All! Helene, I'm glal 
to have you back again, (arm around her) That one there held 
your place in my heart, but now that I have you, we'll go back lo 
the old place and strive to forget the pasr, but in our hearts we'll 
always treasure sweet memories of that one there! Ah! Taggs, 
you treely gave your life for mine — your's was a heart as true as 
steel — we never knew what you was to us, until vou left us. 
(they kneel) Her spirit has «;one to the God who gave it, and mav 
the angels watch over you and guard you tenderly in thenex: 



CUBTAIN. 
THE ejjd 



^ ^ 

.ZLmBs' Plays — G nntinued. 



NO. 

146 
53 
51 

59 

1(12 

62 

58 



Our Awful Aunt 4 

Out in the Streets 6 

Rescued 5 

Saved 2 

Turn of the Tide 7 

Three Glasses a Day 4 

Ten Nights in a Bar-Room... 7 

Wrecked 9 

COMEDIES. 

A D iv In A 1 1 .otor's OHice... 5 

A Legal Holiday » 

A Pleasure Trip 7 

An Afflicted Family 7 

Caugnt in the Act 7 

Captured 6 

Caste 5 

Factory Girl 6 

Heroic Dutchman of '70 8 

Home 4 

Love 's Labor Not Lost 3 

Mr. Hudson's Tiger limit 1 

New Years in N. Y 7 

Not So Bad After All 6 

Not Such a Fool as He Looks li 

<>ur V. iys ii 

Our Daughters 8 

Pug and the Baby 5 

Passions 8 

Prof. James' Experience 

Teaching Country School J 

Rags and Bottles 4 

Scale with Sharps and Flu 

Solon Shingle 14 

Two Bad Buys 7 

The Biter Bit 

The Cigarette 4 

82.00(1 Reward 2 

TRAGEDIES. 

The Serf 6 



324 

136 
168 
124 
257 
24 S 
178 
176 
207 

199 

174 
158 
149 
37 
237 
338 
126 
265 
114 
264 

219 

2:;: i 
221 
262 
87 
131 
240 

16 

FARCES & COMEDIETTA S. 

12!' Aar-u-ag-oos 2 

132 Actor and Servant 1 

316 Aunt Charlotte's Maid 3 

289 A Colonel's Mishap 5 

12 A Capital Match 3 

303 A Kiss in the Hark 2 

166 ATexan Mother-in-Law 4 

A Day Well Spent 7 

169 A Regular Fix 2 

286 A Professional Hardener 4 

80 Alarmingly Suspicious 4 

320 All In A Mud He 3 3 

78 An Awful Criminal 3 3 

313 A Matchmaking Father 2 

31 A Pet of the Public 4 

21 A Romantic Attachment 3 

123 A Thrilling Rem 3 

21) A Ticket of Leave 3 

329 A Valets, Mistake 5 

321 A Day in a Doctors Office 5 

175 Betsey Baker 2 



rk 



8 Better Half 5 2 

86 Black vs. White 4 2 

22 Captain Smith - 3 3 

84 Cheek Will Win 3 

287 Cousin Josiah 1 1 

225 Cupids CaDers 4 4 

31 1 Cleveland s Reception Party. 5 3 

24y Double Electi-n 9 1 

49 Der Two Surprises 1 1 

72 Deuce is in Him 5 1 

19 Did 1 Dream it 4 3 

220 Dutchy vs. Nigger 3 

188 Dutch Prize Fighter 3 

42 Domestic Felicity 1 1 

148 Eh? What Did You Say 3 1 

218 Everybody Astonished 4 

224 Fooling with the Wrong Man 2 1 

233 Freezing a Moiher-in-Law... 2 1 

154 Fun in a Post Office 4 2 

184 Family Discipline 1 

274 Family Jars 5 2 

209 (4oose with the Golden Eggs.. 5 3 

13 Give Me My Wife 3 3 

307 Hallabahoola, the Medicine 

Man 4 3 

^ Hans, the Dutch J. P 3 1 

271 Hans Brummel's Cafe 5 

116 Hash 4 2 

120 II. M.S. Plum 1 1 

50 How She ha* Own Way 1 3 

140 How He Popped the Ouest'n. 1 1 

74 How to Tame M-in-Law 4 2 

35 How Stout Your Getting 5 2 

247 Incompatibility of Temper... 1 2 

95 In the Wrong Clothes 5 3 

305 Jacob Shlaff'a Mistake 3 2 

199 Jitnmie Jones 3 2 

11 John Smith 5 3 

323 Johanes Blatz's Mistake 4 3 

99 JumboJum 4 3 

82 Killing Time 1 1 

182 Kittie's Wedding Cake...- 1 3 

127 Lick Skillet Wedding 2 2 

228 Lauderbach's Little Surprise 3 

302 Locked in' a Dress- maker's 

Boom 3 2 

106 Lodgings for Two 3 

288 Love in all Corners 5 3 

139 Matrimonial Bliss 1 1 

231 Match for a other-Min-Law.. 2 2 

235 More Blunders than one 4 3 

69 Mother's Fool 6 1 

23 .My Heart's in Highlands 4 3 

208 My Precious Betsey 4 4 

212 My Turn Next 4 3 

32 My Wife'. Relations 4 4 

ISO My Day and Now-a-Days 1 

Neighbor's Wife 3 3 

mka's Leap Year Venture.. 5 2 

259 Nobody'sMoke 5 2 

310 Our Hotel 5 3 

334 Olivet 3 2 

44 Obedience 1 2 

33 On the Sly „ 3 2 

r5 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



015 793 099 



NO. 

57 Paddv Miles' Boy 5 2 

217 Patent Washing Machine 4 1 

165 Persecuted Dutchman 6 3 

195 PoorPilieody 2 3 

159 Quiet Family 4 4 

171 Rough Diamond 4 ?! 

180 Ripples 2 

267 Room 44 2 n 

309 Santa C'aus' Daughter 5 4 

48 Schnaps 1 1 

138 Sewing Circle of Period n S 

115 S. H. A. M. Pinafore 3 3 

55 Somebody's Nobody 3 2 

327 Strictly Temperance 2 2 

232 Stage Struck Yankee 4 2 

241 Struck by Lightning 2 2 

270 Slick nnd Skinner 5 

1 Slasher and Crasher 5 ? 

326 Too Manv Cousins 3 3 

339 Two Gentlemen in a Fix 2 

137 Taking the Census 1 1 

328 The Landlords Revenge.! 3 

252 That Awful Carpet Bag 3 S 

315 That Rascal Pat 3 2 

4n That Mysterious B'dle 2 2 

38 The Bewitched Closet 5 2 

101 The Coining Man 3 1 

167 Turn Him Out 3 2 

291 The Actor's Scheme 4 4 

308 The Irish Squire of Squash 

Ridge 4 2 

285 The Mashers Mashed 5 2 

68 The Sham Professor 4 ' 

295 TheSnellin' Skewl 7 r 

54 TheTwoT.J's i ? 

28 Thirtv-rhree Next Birthday.. 4 ? 

292 Tim Flannigan 5 

142 Tit for Tat 2 1 

276 The Printer and ITis Devils.. 3 1 

263 Trials of a Country Editor.... 6 2 

7 The Wonderful Telephone.... 3 1 

281 Two Aunt Emily 8 

312 Uncle Ethan 4 3 

269 TTniust Justice B 

170 U.S. Mail - 2 ? 

213 Vermont Wool Dealer 5 

332 Which rt Which 3 3 

151 Wanted :i Husband 2 1 

56 Wooing Under Difficulties 5 3 

70 Which will he Marry 

135 Widower's Trials 1 

117 Waking Him Up 1 

155 Why they Joined the Re- 
beccas 4 

111 Yankee Duelist 3 1 

157 Yankee Peddler 7 3 

GUIDE BOOKS. 

17 Hints on Elocution 

1X0 Hints to Amateurs 

CANTATA. 

215 On to Victory 4 6 



ETHIOPIAN FARCES. 



2 4 Academy of Stars H 

3 5 A Coincidence 8 

65 An Unwelcome Return 3 

15 An Unhappy Pair 1 

172 Black Shoemaker 4 

98 Black Statue 4 

22 Colored Senators 3 

214 Chops 3 

145 Cuff's Luck 2 

190 Crimps Trip 5 

27 Fetter Lane to (iravesend 2 

Haunted House 2 

Hamlet the Dainty 6 

How Sister Paxey got her 

Child Baptized 2 

Handy Andy 2 

Hypochondriac The 2 

In For It 3 

In the Wrong Box 

Joe's Vis't 2 

88 Mischievous Nigger 4 

250 Midnight Colic 2 

128 Musical Darkey 2 

90 NoCureNoPay 3 1 

61 Not as Deaf as He Seems 3 

244 Old Clothes 3 

234 Old Dad's Cabin 2 1 

150 OldPompey 1 1 

246 Othello 4 1 

109 Other People's Children 3 2 

297 Pomp Green's Snakes 2 

134 Pomp's Pranks 2 

258 Prof „B«oes 'Latest Invention 5 

177 QuarreUome Servants 3 

96 Rooms to Let 2 1 

107 School 5 

133 Seeing Bosting 3 

170 Sham Doctor 3 3 

94 16.000 Years Ago 3 

243 Sports on a Lark 3 

25 Sport with a Sportsman 2 

■age Struck Darkey 2 1 

238 Strawberry Shortcake 2 

10 Stocks Up, Stocks Down 2 

64 That P.ov Sam 3 1 

253 The Best Cure 4 1 

282 The Intelligence Office 3 

122 The Select School 5 

U8 The Popcorn Man 3 1 

6 The Studio 3 

108 Those Awful Boys 5 

245 Ticket Taker 3 

4 Twain's Dodging 3 1 

197 Tricks 5 2 

198 Un.le Jetf 5 2 

216 Viec Versa 3 1 

2'V, Villkens and Dinah 4 1 

210 Virginia Mummy 6 1 

203 Who Stole the Chickens 1 1 

205 William Tell 4 

156 Wisr-Maker and His Servants 3 

Happy Franks Songter 



ar 



The Little Gem Make-Up Box. Price 50 Cents. 



